Goleta Beach 2.0 Report on the Way

Nice way to slant the article Ethan.

First off, the rocks were not placed there illegally. They were put there under an emergency permit issued by the Coastal Commission after a huge storm threaten to wash away the beach. The permit has expired and CC has requested their removal. They are currently in violation. Just so the readers get the accurate info.

Secondly, relocate is a inaccurate statement. The plan calls for "managed retreat". Which means letting the section of the beach at the far end where these spots are available wash away. The parking being proposed, if acceptable by the current property owners, is over 1/3 of a mile minimum from the current location. You could go so far as saying they would be relocated in Goleta if this area is not designated for parking. Again, just so the readers know the relocated parking would be inconvenient to families.

Third. Your sandy dune-esque area would be dumping sand on where the asphalt is being removed and afterwards, letting the tide carry that away as well. This area is proposed to be allowed to be washed away by the natural currents. For the record, this entire beach is artificial. It was created in the 30's by Army Corp of Engineers. The natural cycle of currents would over time, wash away Goleta Beach, the Highway and eventually the Airport. All build on fill.

Finally, the relocation of major utilities would be pricey and there has been no agreement between all the parties. A large UCSB recycle water line is under the beach. Again, no money for this. An EIR was completed as part of the permeable pier project. 75% of this document could be recycled. Using $1.5 million to start from scratch is yet another example of poor fiscal management by this Board Majority.

Managed retreat allows for a portion of "the County's most popular park" to wash away. Plain, simple undesputed fact. The community (those not afflilliated with EDC) does not support allowing any of the beach to wash away.

Nice one Beach Fan. Yes, things seem to be fine out there as they are. If it isn't broke, don't fix it?

As a 43-year resident of Goleta and long-time frequenter of Goleta Beach, I think the County's new plan to protect Goleta Beach Park is brilliant. It adds an acre of sandy beach for families, beach parties, sun-tanning and sandcastle building, enhances access, and moves the old sewer line and other utilities out of the area subject to repeated erosion.

The utilities pay to relocate their utility lines to safer areas, we get a bigger beach, a new drop-off / pick-up area, new bus route and stop, safe new bridge, safer bike and foot access, and overflow parking for those rare instances it is needed. Over 500 families joined EDC and Surfrider, coastal scientists, and community groups, and wrote to the Coastal Commission supporting this approach for our beach park.

The rock seawalls that line portions of the park include significant areas that are not legally permitted because the temporary "emergency" permits expired years ago, and the Coastal Commission has given the County a long time to come up with a plan that protects the park without damaging the beach. Seawalls cause beaches to wash away and the Coastal Commission's 9-1 vote gave clear direction to the County to pursue a balanced project like the new plan. The new plan leaves the rocks in front of the whole eastern part of the park, the resturant, and the pier foundation, and extends protection all the way to include the Goleta Sanitary District's outfall vault. It is a compromise approach that will protect the park without damaging the beach and will resolve a decade old dispute.

Way to accurately state the facts Ethan. I don't know what planet BeachFan lives on, but here in California that pile of illegal junk on Goleta Beach most certainly IS a Coastal Act violation and most certainly IS subject to fines and penalties of up to $15k per day.... Let's face it, the only reason someone, anyone hasn't prosecuted this case already is that SB enviros have been trying in good faith to work this out for over a decade. Instead, SB Co. and people like BeachFan proposed installing lame ugly useless poles and piles alongside the pier, which would not have addressed erosion but sure would have been ugly and enriched the coastal engineering firm of Moffat & Nichols over $10 million bucks. Let's hope 2.0 saves SB taxpayers some money and gets it right under the Coastal Act.

Goleta43 and 4Ocean. Selective recollection and facts are a blessing aren't they. The area of expanded sandy beach WILL erode away as part of the managed retreat scenario. In what part of my first letter did I say anything about supporting permeable pier. I said the EIR. Reading is fundamental. Also, Moffat and Nichols are known nationally as experts in coastal preservation. Anyone interested. Google Coastal Protection Moffat and Nichols.

The parking. Get real, agreement hasn't been reached with land owners, turnarounds aren't used in any other beaches in the County. Name 3 gents in California that use them instead of adjacent parking? You get back ups, vehicle traffic colliding with pedistrian traffic, and Bridge over creek? Need Army Corp of Engineer approval. This plan will result in reducing, not maintaining beach access. Unfortunately, EDC, Surfriders and their supports will get their way, a loss of a portion the beach and parking for public access.

The City of Goleta, Goleta Chamber of Commerce and real beach users, not mailing list EDC supporters or Surfriders, want to preserve the entire beach. Not a single utility company has agreed in writing to move the lines at their expense. You see, I've been at the meetings for years, at the public workshops where EDC salt the crowd (same faces at any development project) 4Oceans. Go to Huntington Beach and see how the concept of pier pylons works. Guess what? I have.

BeachFan does not seem to really be a beach fan since he is willing to risk erosion of the actual beach in exchange for saving some lawn. That's fair enough but some us want to see the beach protected and expanded in that Goleta Beach Park is one of the few actual beach parks we've got in the area. EDC, Surfrider and a variety of other folks have put in a heck of a lot of time and effort, most of it volunteer time although not all, and we have science and the Coastal Act on our side. It is no coincidence that the vote was 5-0 in favor of moving forward with Goleta Beach 2.0 and when completed it will be a very good thing. I have been using that beach for the past 25 years and still go out there on a regular basis and I go there for the beach and the ocean access. The grassy lawns are nice but not an essential feature, IMHO. There are other grassy parks in the area but not many sandy beaches.

Maybe you haven't noticed in your 25 years Noletaman that families, senior and disabled use that lawn area so they can enjoy being by the beach and have good access. Personally, it's rare having both. Which is what makes it unique.

Once again, this plan will save some of the beach with the eventual loss due to managed retreat being in excess of 2 acres. This is one point I haven't heard any of you in this string try to deny. No reason that this board wouldn't vote 5-0. If 2nd and 3rd district supes support it, the others will follow.