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Old 12-11-2019, 08:28 PM   #1
Bob Ballew
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Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

… Of 11 of us who spoke at the public meeting regarding removal of the Long Beach breakwater to create bigger surfing waves, ten of us opposed it vs. one in favor...This is a big swing over from past meetings where Surfrider supporters outnumbered those of us opposed. I gave each attendee a 2-page handout describing the marine life to be found there and the negative effects should the breakwater be removed or altered...The Army Corp of Engineers completed their surveys and are now opposed to tearing down or altering the breakwater, based on science and changing public opinion. Voices speaking loudly get action...
...Hoping to get my environmental article published in local newspapers and cause the Mayor and City Council to be pressured enough to reverse their support for Surfrider's proposal....They were mis-led about the benefits of a "sound good at first" project that would result in an environmental disaster if done as proposed. The Army Corp reversed their support and are now leaning toward an inside the bay restoration project of reefs, kelp, etc rather than altering the breakwater....The final decision will be made by summer...

Last edited by Bob Ballew; 12-13-2019 at 01:26 PM.
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Old 12-11-2019, 10:25 PM   #2
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

Great news Bob! Thank you
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Old 12-11-2019, 11:39 PM   #3
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

The truth is no one really knows what the end effects will be. Personally I wish they’d tear it down. More clean water and surf.
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Old 12-12-2019, 02:35 AM   #4
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

...If you have ever been diving at the Long Beach breakwater, the marine ecology speaks for itself...The top 5 feet is where the plankton grows...tear it out and you remove food for thousands of near-surface baitfish...no baitfish and the seals, pelicans and game fish either starve or have to move to where the food is more abundant...The 45 year old system is home to thousands of animals living in the rocks or nearby. Tearing it down would destroy a complete eco system that cannot be replaced. Basically, it is a living reef and provides a food chain for many mammals, birds and fish....
...Due to silt and sand inside the breakwater, bigger waves would mean dirtier water, not cleaner...plus, climate change indicates more and bigger storms coming...dangerous for the boats, homes and port activities if big waves surge inside...It is the age-old issue of common sense vs. emotional appeal...hopefully, common sense will prevail...but, that is a rare commodity in the political arena these days....

Like Winston Churchill once quipped: "Americans can be counted on to do the right thing....after, they have tried everything else"...

Last edited by Bob Ballew; 12-13-2019 at 01:39 AM.
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Old 12-12-2019, 03:42 PM   #5
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

Is this in reference to the long beach breakwall?
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Old 12-12-2019, 04:37 PM   #6
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

Correct...I will clarify by adding to the above info..
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Old 12-13-2019, 12:45 PM   #7
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

[quote=Bob Ballew;2193868]…

"The Army Corp reversed their support and are now leaning toward an inside the bay restoration project of reefs, kelp, etc rather than altering the breakwater."

Bob,
This sounds really interesting, can you expound on in a bit?
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Old 12-13-2019, 01:21 PM   #8
Bob Ballew
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

The proposed restoration (at $millions in cost, of course) would involve a series of low reefs nearshore, kelp planting, and putting in eel grass. The kelp idea is another wishful thinking situation. Warm water El Nino years will result in shallow water kelp die off, wasting dollars for an unsustainable plant. I will put in my two cents worth suggesting it be put outside the breakwater, if they ever come up with the money needed for this high cost project. More bonds paid for by us overtaxed home owners? We will see...
...California government is woefully unprepared for the 6" ocean rise predicted in the coming years...My guess is they will panic and use every available method of finance possible to cope with eroding beaches and flooded homes...In short, the reef/kelp program may be pie in the sky wishful thinking as time goes by..
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Old 12-15-2019, 01:15 PM   #9
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

Yup,
Pie in the sky!
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Old 12-21-2019, 08:58 PM   #10
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

I wish the state would build jetties along the shore. Instead of thinking about tearing the LA breakwall...
Jetties would help protect the shore and reduce beach erosion.
It is amazing how much erosion our beaches have suffered during the last 4 ElNino years. Some spots have turned into a riverbed... The biggest loss has been the eel grass. Eel grass is our fish nurseries. In addition it protects from sand erosion.
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Old 12-23-2019, 12:11 PM   #11
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Re: Breakwater Battle turning in Our Favor

Quote:
Originally Posted by campione View Post
I wish the state would build jetties along the shore. Instead of thinking about tearing the LA breakwall...
Jetties would help protect the shore and reduce beach erosion.
It is amazing how much erosion our beaches have suffered during the last 4 ElNino years. Some spots have turned into a riverbed... The biggest loss has been the eel grass. Eel grass is our fish nurseries. In addition it protects from sand erosion.
The main issue with lateral walls down the coast in many places would be shifting erosion; the wave energy and current would be compressed in a lot of places, and actually wash sand away much faster, say in areas frequented by rip tides. Plus, they have to build structures on at the least, hard bottom. Most of our reefs half sink, and get half buried by shifting sands; breakwalls need some maintenance that is very expensive, which is a big part of what Bob is pointing out, some stuff not so cost effective.

But glad to see the are now less willing to move forward with the removal idea; and thanks Bob for hitting that meeting and the update!!
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