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VIDEO. From the San Mateo County Harbor District meetings on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 10:00am as a hybrid meeting. Public comment only in person or by email. Meetings are currently being held in person at the SMCHD Administration Building, 504 Avenue Alhambra, Ste. 200, El Granada.
Staff Report
Issue: Update on WRDA-2024 Pillar Point Sea Level Rise and the Princeton by the Sea Shoreline Project.
Recommendation/Motion: Informational
1. The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024)
2. The current status of the Harbor District’s request under the Army Corps Continuing Authorities Program Section 111 to mitigate and prevent further damage to the Princeton shoreline caused by the breakwater, a federal navigation project. See a copy of the Harbor District’s request attached to this staff report.
ACOE CAP 111 Request: Princeton by the Sea Shoreline Project
Working with OneShoreline and the San Mateo County Planning Department, the Harbor District requested the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) under Section 111 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968 to mitigate the shore damage attributable to Navigation works (the Pillar Point Breakwater).
The Harbor District specifically requested a study to address the shoreline erosion damage at Surfers Beach south to Miramar, the beach off Princeton by the Sea, and the beaches located off the West Trail Area. All three areas/beaches have had accelerated and significant erosion caused by the breakwater and are negatively affecting both government and privately owned parcels, the Coastal Trail, and iconic California Hwy 1.
The ACOE declined to investigate the damage at Surfers Beach, as a study had already been conducted around 2014 and a decision, based on a cost benefit analysis, was made to not take any action.
In regard to Princeton by the Sea, the ACOE agreed to investigate further and conducted a cost benefit analysis asking if the expected benefits would outweigh the potential cost of a project to address the damage. The result of the analysis was positive, meaning the cost of any project to address the damage caused by the breakwater would not be greater than the benefits derived as a result of any project.
The next step is a cost-share agreement between the Harbor District and the ACOE. Once signed, the ACOE will move into the feasibility phase and develop multiple potential solutions. The Harbor District, coordinating with OneShoreline and County Planning, will be involved in this stage.
Once a solution is determined, the ACOE then shifts to project implementation and construction.
Once complete, the shoreline at Princeton by the Sea will be restored to mitigate and prevent any further damage. Most of the costs will be borne by the ACOE, with a small cost share from the Harbor District. The Harbor District will be looking to share the cost share burden with the County.
WRDA 2024 North Half Moon Bay Sea Level Rise Project
In 2024, the Harbor District requested the Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate and prevent damage caused to Northern Half Moon Bay coastline by the construction of the Pillar Point Breakwater, a federal navigation project. See attached. The ACOE declined to reconsider the damage to Surfers Beach south through Miramar stating the issue was already studied and failed the initial cost benefit analysis.
The Harbor District reviewed the initial cost benefit analysis and found it to be based on assumptions and facts that have proven to be incorrect. Not accepting the ACOE’s response, the Harbor District worked closely with the Honorable Congresswoman Anna Eshoo to include the North Half Moon Bay (Pillar Point to south of Miramar) Coastal Erosion and Sea Level Rise Project in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). The project is intended to address, mitigate, and prevent the damage caused by the changes in the current and wave patterns that resulted from the construction of the federal breakwater at Pillar Point Harbor.
As of this date, Congresswoman Eshoo was able to include the project in the WRDA 2024 bill. The
Bill passed the House on July 22, 2024, with a vote of 359 to 13. The bill has also passed the Senate and is in conference. It is expected to be signed into law prior to 2025. (https://transportation.house.gov/wrda-2024/).
This project is significant as it will address the entirety of Northern Half Moon Bay (Mavericks Beach on Pillar Point south to and including the Miramar shoreline). It will mitigate and prevent further damage caused by the breakwater under a systems approach. This project will involve multiple agencies to include the the Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Commission, Monterey National Marine Sanctuary, California Water Board, Caltrans, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, OneShoreline, County Planning, County Public Works, El Granada Community Service District, and the City of Half Moon Bay. The public will also be heavily involved through public meetings and workshops.
This is an extremely exciting project for the Coastside, improving Northern Half Moon Bay’s preparedness for any potential sea level rise, minimizing coastal erosion, and protecting public and private infrastructure, with potential savings of tens of millions in local taxpayer funding.
The District will be looking to the County, State, City of Half Moon Bay for assistance in covering the mandatory costshare on this project.
More on WRDA and the Army Corp and Pillar Point Harbor on Coastside Buzz
More on the Harbor District on Coastside Buzz
San Mateo County Harbor District Board Meetings ~ 3rd Wednesday @ 10:00am
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
Please note that email correspondence sent to or from members of the Harbor Commission via the District’s website are considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act.
Harbor District Agendas and Remote Meeting Links
2024 Board of Harbor Commissioners Contact Information:
Please note that email correspondence sent to or from Members of the Harbor Commission via the District’s website are considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act. To email the entire Harbor Commission, click here.
Tom Mattusch, President
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 619-0459
Kathryn Slater-Carter, Vice President
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 583-4400
George Domurat, Secretary
Email: [email protected]
(650) 583-4400
Virginia Chang Kiraly, Treasurer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 730-3911
William Zemke, Commissioner
mail: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 730-9239
Author: Coastside Buzz
Me
The article says “expected to be signed into law before (blank)”??
Thanks Stephen. “It is expected to be signed into law prior to 2025.” Good eyes. Not sure why the 2025 was dropped, but I put it back in!