SPUR Public Workshop #2 Report

A new erosion hotspot? Ortega Street, early June 2011.

Dear Surfriders and Friends,

The SPUR public workshop went really well. Attendance was great despite the pouring rain.

Here’s a basic report:

SPUR opened the meeting by giving attendees an overview of Ocean Beach’s sand transport system, wastewater infrastructure and the erosion challenge. Then, several test case scenarios were presented showing the results of different approaches to addressing erosion and beach management. The test cases served to demonstrate the different issues involved in long term planning at Ocean Beach. For example, one scenario demonstrated what the beach would look like over the next 100 years if we were to prioritize infrastructure protection above all other issues. Naturally, with this approach, most of the southern section of Ocean Beach was wiped out, with the shoreline and dunes getting replaced by a seawall and quarry stone revetments. Another test case showed what the future would look like if we were to use habitat conservation as the dominant priority. In such a scenario we would have to relocate not only the wastewater tunnel and the Great Highway, but also part of the neighborhood along the Lower Great Highway (at mid-beach) would have to be returned to the sand. Other models showed what would happen if we were to use green infrastructure or recreational opportunities as the prime drivers. The results of these approaches showed various degrees of Managed Retreat, but with their own pluses and minuses. SPUR wants to remind everyone that these test scenarios were not actual proposals, but tools for the public to glimpse the different issues, challenges, strengths and weaknesses inherent in any long term master plan.
During the last section of the workshop, the attendees split up into break-out session groups. Each group was charged with drafting their own ideal Master Plan for the next 100 years. The hypothetical results shown in the various test scenarios sparked a very lively planning session. At the end of the meeting, the beak-out groups’ draft plans were collected by SPUR and will serve to provide feedback and direction in formation of the final Ocean Beach Master Plan. A Draft Master Plan is the next step in this process. Check out SPURs website for all the details and/or to provide additional input.

www.spur.org/oceanbeach

Thanks to all who attended!

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.

SPUR Workshop Report

The first SPUR Workshop at the SF Zoo last Saturday went really well. Thanks to everyone who took time on a beautiful sunny morning (when the surf was firing) to attend the event and provide feedback on Ocean Beach. As promised, various representatives from key government agencies were on hand to meet the public, answer questions and take in feedback. Some great conversations were held about what should happen at Sloat as well as other issues concerning Ocean Beach. At this point, it seems a major concern The City has in embracing a Managed Retreat strategy seems to be the notion that moving the road/infrastructure may not stop the ocean from continuing to encroach. Undoubtedly such a scenario is possible, however, the other alternative- massive armoring with sand nourishment - virtually guarantees the loss of the beach and the waste of public funds when the sand is washed away. Ultimately, we believe the City has the responsibility to pick the best case scenario for both protecting its infrastructure and the beach at Sloat. We stand firm that Managed Retreat is the smartest path. Needless to say, we look forward to continuing these discussions in the months ahead and we thank the City for keeping an open mind and conducting an honest dialogue with the public on the issue.

What you can do… Please feel free to continue to write letters to the various public agencies with jurisdiction over the Sloat issue:

The wastewater infrastructure: Public Utilities Commission http://sfwater.org/ContactUs.cfm/MC_ID/18/MSC_ID/114/MTO_ID/342

The agency charged with protecting the infrastructure: SF DPW http://www.sfdpw.org/index.aspx?page=34

The road: SF Park and Rec: http://sfrecpark.org/CommentsAndFeedback.aspx
And SF County Transportation Authority:
http://www.sfcta.org/mos/Contact_Us/

The beach itself:
GGNRA: http://www.nps.gov/goga/contacts.htm

Special Thanks to Ben Grant for steering the SPUR process. For more information, please contact project manager Benjamin Grant
(bgrant@spur.org)
www.spur.org/ocean-beach
facebook: Ocean Beach Master Plan (San Francisco)
twitter: @planoceanbeach

Coastal Commission Wrap-Up / SPUR Meeting Set

Season’s Greetings Surfriders and Friends,

Our appearance at the California Coastal Commission Meetings last week was a smashing success. We would like to thank everyone who took time to comment, whether by coming down to speak or by sending in a letter. By the way, we received well over 140 letters in support of our message to restrict rock armoring at Sloat, and to require clean-up of the rubble littering the beach. The Commission got a clear picture of what is happening down at Sloat, the basic issues involved, and our platform. It could not have gone any better.

We have more news: VERY IMPORTANT!

SPUR has just scheduled the first public workshop for determining a long term plan at Sloat this January 15th, 2011 9am-2pm at the SF Zoo Great Hall. Finally, everyone concerned about the armoring has a chance to be part of drafting a long term solution for the area. Officials from SFDPW, SFPUC, Park and Rec and others will be on hand to hear and discuss this issue as well as other matters involving Ocean Beach. We encourage everyone to attend and provide input. More details to follow.

Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!