Coastal panel rejects Goleta Beach project
To the dismay of Goleta and Santa Barbara county officials, the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday denied the county’s application to install permeable pilings at Goleta Beach Park to stop sand and beach erosion.
The county was seeking a coastal development permit to get started on a a multi-million-dollar project aimed at stopping the erosion of the park and provide for more recreational opportunities for beachgoers. Plans called for pile-driving between 250 and 330 piles from the coastline seaward to essentially widen the pier. The 500-foot long extension would attach to the existing 1,500-foot long pier. The addition timber or composite/fiberglass piles would be intended to slow down or stop the further erosion of the sand area.
The project, however, was opposed by many environmentalists, who favored a reconfiguration of the park, rather than widening the pier. Some felt that the additional pilings would contribute to beach and bluff erosion downshore.
Comment on this article
Good Riddance : 7/9/2009
Now we've been treated to not one but two pro-County pro-development and anti-coastal news stories regarding SB Co.'s Goleta Beach Boondoggle. Why don't you report the $3 million dollars wasted by the County on studies designed to allow 1500-ft of illegal rock wall seawall to remain in place? Or the nearly $1 million along spent on private lobbyists?!? The plan was BLATANTLY illegal under the Coastal Act and was soundly rejected by the Coastal Commission on a 9-1 vote. The Coastal Commission was CLEAR in directing SB Co. to MOVE BACK. The Coastal Act protects beaches, not picnic tables, a lawn or a restaurant. Who will be held accountable for this fiasco? Heads should roll. This is not the first time the County has pushed development that violates the Coastal Act- remember Brooks Firestone's plan to fill in Gaviota Creek for a new bridge that was unanimously denied by the Commission?? SB Co. executives should be held accountable for their using taxpayer money to pander to developers. When will this stop??
4Oceans
Who Cares? : 7/9/2009
Hurray for the EDC & the Coastal Commission for saving the Slough from untold more thousands of sweaty locals laying about on the grass, playing frisbee, and fishing. I agree with Sup. Wolf that the park should be shut-down (retreat), the people managed away, and the fish and birds returned as God intended it to be. I see a lot of people laying around the beach wasting time, drinking, especially in the summer, when instead the park should be left for nature and the rest of us to enjoy looking at.
Birds not People
Who Cares if the beach is gone? : 7/10/2009
EDC and Surfriders, if they continue to get there way, will lead to the permanent loss of this beach park. They seem to care more about this area returning to nature than the loss of this great place to the families, both rich and poor that use it. Lot's of latino and other minority families have been going there forever. Just curious, how many non-whites belong to these groups?????
Parks for People
Let it be : 7/12/2009
Let it be, Let it be, Let it be,Let it be, there will be an answer, Let it be.
Paul
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