Public Comments on the Draft Ocean Beach Master Plan Released

Dear Surfriders and Friends,

Public comments from the Draft Master Plan are now available on SPUR's website http://spur.org/ocean-beach

Thanks to all who submitted comments. There were some excellent points made as well as some unique and creative ideas. As for the issue of Sloat, a common theme emerged: There is widespread support for a managed retreat approach to the erosion issue. While some folks expressed skepticism and doubt about the cobble berm idea proposed by SPUR, most supported a clean up of the rubble and restoration of the shoreline. Many cited the need to have robust sand dune construction by the Army Corps. These are all concepts supported by Surfrider.

On the critical front, there was significant concern about traffic impacts caused by the re-routing of the Great Highway around the back of the zoo, especially at the Sloat intersection. This is absolutely a legitmate concern. We will work to see that this issue is addressed by SPUR as the draft gets fine tuned.

Thanks again to everyone for staying engaged with the Sloat issue and participating in the SPUR Ocean Beach Master Plan. Have a happy holiday season!

Alert! Next SPUR Public Workshop Confirmed

Dear Surfriders and Friends,

News Flash...The next phase of the Ocean Beach Master Plan is officially confirmed: Saturday June 4th at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center 10am-1pm. The Center is located at 6101 Fulton St. @ 37th Ave. Please make every effort to attend and provide input. This is the critical workshop in which a solution for Sloat will begin to take shape. For more info on the workshop or The Ocean Beach Master Plan visit

http://www.spur.org/oceanbeach

Please spread the word throughout the community...

Thanks!

Alternatives Phase of SPUR OB Master Plan Set to Begin

The original Managed Retreat vision from the Ocean Beach Task Force 2002: Courtesy of Brad Evans and Bob Battalio of Phillips Williams and Associates.

Greetings Surfriders and Friends,

Engineers under the SPUR Master Plan and key city officials are beginning to form alternative long term plans for Sloat Erosion. The next public workshop which will offer citizen's an opportunity to weigh in on this issue is set for June 4. Location TBA. In the meantime Surfrider San Francisco would like to begin a deeper discussion of our preferred plan: Managed Retreat. Below is a series of links in which Managed Retreat was used to respond to coastal erosion events in California. These three examples involve public infrastructure that was being threatened by an encroaching high tide line. Like Sloat, there was a need to remove fill/rubble and add sand in its place. Note the 2 local projects. We already have examples of Managed Rereat succeeding in our own backyard...

SURFER's POINT - Ventura, Ca
http://www.pwa-ltd.com/projects/pr_cstl_SurfersPnt.html
http://www.venturariver.org/2010/11/managed-retreat-process-at-surfers.html
http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/initiatives/shoreline_ppr_retreat.html
http://www.surferspoint.org/

PACIFICA STATE BEACH (Lindamar) - Pacifica, Ca
http://www.pwa-ltd.com/projects/pr_cstl_Pacifica.html

CRISSY FIELD - San Francisco, Ca
http://www.pwa-ltd.com/projects/pr_cstl_crissy_field.html

Ocean Beach Erosion Article on SFGate / SF Chronicle

The new revetment looking south. Photo taken 3/21/11 4:35pm Tide apprx. 3.2ft

Greetings Surfriders and Friends,

Last Friday March 4th, there was a front page article about erosion at Ocean Beach that featured the problem at Sloat. It also appeared Sunday March 6 in SFgate. Here's a link to the online version...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/04/MNGM1I1O92.DTL

The article was well written, providing a great synopsis of the issues involved as well as where we right now in the process of finding a long term solution.

One important comment: The article seems to suggest that Coastal Armoring, Managed Retreat and Sand Nourishment are separate, mutually exclusive erosion control solutions for Sloat. They are not. We beleve in a sensible combination of strategies that emphasizes more of the last 2 methods: Managed Retreat and Sand Nourishment. Our vision consists of moving the parking lots, the road, and the wastewater tunnel out of harm's way. Then, a large sand dune (via sand nourishment) should be constructed in its place. With a sand barrier, we have an erosion control system that allows for the restoration of the public's beach and safer access to the shoreline. Look for more details to emerge on Managed Retreat as we head into the next phase of the Ocean Beach Master Plan - Alternative Solutions.

Ocean Beach Master Plan Open House at the Park Chalet

Just in case you missed the SPUR workshop at the zoo January 15, there will be another chance for the public to review and comment on the Ocean Beach Master Plan. On Saturday March 5, from 10am - 12noon, the Park Chalet will host the workshop material. All folks that want to see our beach restored at Sloat are urged to weigh in at all SPUR workshops. In addition to the Sloat issue, there are other important issues getting addressed in the Master Plan: restrooms, bike paths, garbage collection, native plant restoration efforts, etc. Feel free to bring the family has there will be free root beer and facepainting for the kids. Thanks to Lara Truppelli of the Park Chalet and SandOB for sponsoring this event.

Between a rock and a hard place

Our fine feathered (Federally protected) friend, the snowy plover, perched atop some old rip rap below the north lot at Sloat during the morning high tide (and 20s period swell) on Jan 29. The lower photo comes from a historical plaque. In the sandy San Francisco of the 19th century, there was little distinction between the "beach" and "inland."

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