FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Darin Rosas
SF Surfrider Chair
http://sloaterosionob.
THE SAN FRANCISCO SURFRIDER FOUNDATION ADDRESSES COASTAL EROSION EMERGENCY AT OCEAN BEACH IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, CA (January 22, 2010) – The San Francisco Surfrider Chapter (SF Surfrider) is calling for a long-term solution to the coastal erosion problems at Ocean Beach, SF, south of Sloat Blvd. This comes in response to a declaration of a coastal erosion emergency, by the SF Department of Public Works (DPW), along the shoreline south of Sloat Boulevard
On January 7th the southbound lane of the Great Highway, south of Sloat Boulevard was closed and, on January 21st, both southbound lanes were closed. On January 15th, the DPW announced a declaration of emergency along the Great Highway due to severely eroded bluffs on the west side of the road. Currently, most of the Great Highway from Lake Merced to Golden Gate Park is closed due to a storm. Only the bus turn-around at Sloat Boulevard is open.
In recent years, the DPW has used beach nourishment to control the coastal erosion issues at Sloat Boulevard. SF Surfrider understands the need for taking emergency action to protect the current infrastructure along the Great Highway, south of Sloat Boulevard. However, SF Surfrider feels that a long-term solution is overdue.
In 2001, the Ocean Beach Taskforce, created by Mayor Willie Brown, analyzed alternate solutions for coastal erosion issues at Ocean Beach. The Taskforce concluded that the best long-term solution was a combination of beach restoration, managed retreat, and infrastructure relocation. No official long-term policy was ever adopted or executed.
Surfrider Foundation advocates long-term solutions where coastal development is threatened and suggests the goal of maximizing beach access while minimizing impacts to the beach and its ecological integrity. Under no circumstances does SF Surfrider support the permanent installation of hard retention structures along the coastline. Such structures can temporarily protect existing coastline development but have no place in beach preservation or a healthy beach ecosystem.
A community meeting is being held on Monday, January 25th at 7pm at the Park Chalet (located behind the Beach Chalet at 1000 Great Highway in San Francisco) to discuss the proposed actions at Sloat Boulevard. The DPW Project Manager, Frank Filice will be there to discuss the emergency declaration, the short-term strategy, and a process for a long-term solution.
Everyone who has an interest in the preservation and the future of Ocean Beach is encouraged to attend. The emergency declaration will go before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for ratification the following day, Tuesday, January 26th. For questions or more information, please email the meeting organizer and Chair of the San Francisco Ocean Beach Vision Council: Lara Truppelli at Lara@beachchalet.com.
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The Surfrider Foundation, San Francisco Chapter
is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 26th year, the Surfrider Foundation has grown from a small group of dedicated surfers in Malibu, California to a global movement made up of over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information visit us at www.sfsurfrider.org.
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