Surfrider Foundation

Take Action to Protect Ocean Beach

URGENT: WRITE TO DECISION MAKERS TODAY TO REMOVE ROCK RUBBLE FROM OCEAN BEACH

On January 15th, the Department of Public Works (DPW) announced a declaration of emergency along the Great Highway due to severely eroded bluffs on the west side of Sloat Blvd. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors have moved to concur with Mayor Newsom’s January 19th proclamation of a Local Emergency.

Representatives from the San Francisco Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Save the Waves Coalition, the Ocean Beach Vision Council and community members testified at the hearing and urged the board to delay the vote in order to have the opportunity to consider more environmentally sound alternatives to hard structures, especially given that hard structural armoring is prohibited in Board Resolution 698-99.

Although the Department of Public Works decided to go ahead with emergency armoring using rock walls, we succeeded in securing a commitment from the Department of Public Works to remove old rock rubble from the beach equivalent to the new rock that is being placed, effectively acheiving a zero net new rock on the beach.

Unfortunately, the Department of Public Works seems to be backtracking on this commitment. It is critical that you communicate your concerns regarding the placement of hard structures on the beach and demand that the promise of no new rock on Ocean Beach is upheld. Act now to make your voice heard!

Please visit sloaterosionob.blogspot.com/ for additional information.

Subject: Concerns re: Ocean Beach Emergency Revetment

Your Letter:

I am extremely concerned about the condition of the erosion south of Sloat Blvd. and San Francisco Department of Public Works’ proposed Emergency Response to place boulders to armor this stretch of coast. I am urging you to consider less environmentally damaging and invasive solutions.

As a visitor to Ocean Beach, I feel we need to implement long-term solutions that maximize beach access while minimizing impacts to the beach and its ecological integrity. Under no circumstances do I support the permanent installation of hardened armoring along the coastline, as these structures inevitably result in the loss of beach and public access. Such structures may create a guise of protection for existing coastal development, but they are ultimately not able to stop the forces of erosion or prevent these forces from exacting revenge on downcoast beaches and infrastructure.

I realize that some action needs to be taken in response to this emergency, but I would caution taking any emergency action that would not concur with favorable long-term solutions for protecting Ocean Beach. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has already recognized the harm and folly associated with hardened armoring of bluffs in this area per its adoption of Resolution 698-99.

If emergency rock revetment is permitted, it is vital that old rock rubble littering Ocean Beach be removed at a 1:1 ratio to the placement of new rock, the ensure that zero net new rock is placed on our beach.

Thank you for your consideration.