Ventura - pierpont dunes grading

[EWerb at aol.com]

here is a forwad from surfrider who is out in front on this question, 
does perma include sand too?

ew

The Cal Coastal Commission has appealed Ventura's approval
of a dune grading project at Pierpont.  The Commission staff report
describes the project as follows:

"Grade and redistribute significant (but as yet unquantified by
applicant) volume of sand from beach and dune areas next to San
Buenaventura State Beach on the seaward side, and adjacent to 27 dead
end road terminals [in the Pierpont community] on the inland side, and
remove dune vegetation in same areas.  Grading locations are within a
40-foot easement designated as "Parks" by, and owned by, the City of
Ventura.  Sand would be redistributed on and adjacent to San
Buenaventura State Beach."

The Commission will be considering this application at this month's meeting.  

The following letter has been sent on behalf of the Ventura Chapter of
Surfrider Foundation:


Melanie Hale
California Coastal Commission 
89 S California St.
Ventura, CA 93001

RE: City of Ventura Dune Grading

Dear Ms Hale,

I just learned of the City of Ventura permit application for grading the
dunes in Pierpont beach.  The Surfrider Foundation has concerns about this
permit, which runs counter to our mission to restore and maintain healthy
beaches in Ventura County.  In this era of increasing beach erosion due to
rising sea levels, global warming, and human interruptions to natural
sediment transport, it is ironic that beachfront property owners complain
of having too much sand.  

The recently reestablished dunes in Pierpont Bay represent a tiny fraction
of the once extensive dune field upon which these homes were built.
Because this poorly planned coastal development did not allow sufficient
setback from the beach and dune environment, these homes are potentially in
great danger from storm damage.  The existence of the Corps of Engineers
Pierpont groin field has helped stabilized the shoreline, although periodic
beach nourishment is still required to maintain the beach width.  Extreme
storm events will always present the threat of damage to this beach community.

We recognize that the best protection for these oceanfront homes is the
existence of a healthy dune field.  The extent that these dunes have
accreted is a sign that sufficient sand is available to naturally maintain
these dunes. The city proposal to maintain a graded beach at each road end
would only serve to funnel the wind, exacerbating the problem of sand
blowing back onto the streets. Bulldozing and removing these dunes would be
detrimental both to the community, which would lose the benefit of natural
shore protection, and to the city, which would incur increased ongoing
maintenance costs.

The Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation recommends that a
more natural dune maintenance solution be worked out between local property
owners and the City of Ventura. We propose that planting native dune
grasses would help maintain the position of the dunes and minimize blown
sand.  Much of this work could be accomplished through volunteers from the
Surfrider Foundation, the California Native Plant Society, and other local
groups.

We urge the Commission to deny the City of Ventura proposal to remove dunes
from Pierpont beach, and require alternative solutions that will enhance
the health of the beach and provide natural protection to these oceanfront
properties.  

Sincerely,


Paul Jenkin
MS Ocean Engineering
Chair, Surfrider Foundation - Ventura County Chapter