Current Activities
Biological Impacts Analysis and Recommendations - CSMW is analyzing beneficial and adverse environmental impacts associated with sediment management projects, including recommendations to protect sensitive biota/habitats during implementation of these projects. This effort will help focus environmental assessments and permitting, thereby expediting project implementation. This study also includes compilation of Resource Protection Guidelines, an Abbreviated User's Guide, and a Workplan to implement recommendations, all of which are currently under development. Due to numerous requests, the draft BIA Report has been made available; please note that numerous changes/additions are being incorporated as part of the finalization process.
Coastal RSM Plans CSMW is working with various regional partners along the California coast to develop strategies to address coastal erosion through beneficial reuse of sediment within that region. Three Plans have been completed to date; six more are or will soon be under preparation.
GIS User's Survey - CSMW has developed a Spatial Data Website where statewide and regional-based spatial information related to sediment management can be displayed simultaneously with other GIS data and/or downloaded to the website visitor's own computer for further analyses. In addition, CSMW has established a stakeholders group to help focus a survey to determine how the spatial data website and associated GIS database can be improved to be of more use to more stakeholders.
BEACONs Programmatic Environmental Impact Report - CSMW has provided funding to the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) to develop an environmental document associated with implementing recommendations within their Coastal RSM Plan. BEACON has decided to develop a programmatic EIR to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with nourishment and retention structures to minimize sand loss, as recommended in their Coastal RSM Plan. The public comment period for the draft Programmatic EIR closed November 5, 2010.
Southern Monterey Bay Mitigated Negative Declaration - CSMW has provided funding to the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) to develop an environmental document associated with implementing recommendations within their Coastal RSM Plan. AMBAG has chosen to develop a Mitigated Negative Declaration associated with placement of upland/coastal sediment along the coastline, as recommended in their Coastal RSM Plan. Currently, AMBAG has selected the consultant team to conduct the study and is working to obtain matching funds to cover their administrative costs.
Surfers Beach and Pillar Point Harbor - CSMW is participating in a stakeholder workgroup to work with USACE, NOAA Sanctuaries, the Harbor District, surfers and other stakeholder groups to find ways to address coastal erosion at Surfers Beach (aka El Granada Beach) in Half Moon Bay. The workgroup's current focus is to determine how excess sediment accumulating inside the adjacent Pillar Point Harbor could be beneficially reused at Surfer's Beach, given strict regulatory limitations on placement of dredged materials within the Sanctuary.
Southern Monterey Bay Coastal Erosion Workgroup (SMBCEW) - CSMW is participating in the SMBCEW, which is currently evaluating various alternatives to address coastal erosion throughout coastal southern Monterey Bay, in addition to the sediment management options recommended in the Coastal RSM Plan. When completed, the selected alternatives will be combined with the sediment management options into one master Implementation Plan.
Tijuana Estuary Demonstration Project - This is a RSM demonstration project designed to provide a science-based approach to determine the suitability of beneficially reusing clean upland sediment for restoration within the coastal nearshore. The study evaluates potential adverse impacts associated with placing upland sediment with a relatively high percentage of fines along the beach and nearshore. Favorable results could lead to amending the US Environmental Protection Agency's 80/20 (coarse/fines) default guidance currently in place for beach nourishment material, which would in turn allow for more clean sediment to be used for receiver site restoration and also provide cost-effective alternatives for wetlands restoration. Field work has been completed, and a technical report from the US Geological Survey is expected towards the end of 2010.
TMDL development - CSMW is working closely with the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards to facilitate the fluvial transport of coarse sediment needed to replenish coastal beaches while keeping fine-grained sediment contained so that it doesn't result in adverse impacts to fluvial, riparian or coastal habitats.