Posted on October 1, 2018
Planners made headway last week on a long-discussed project that involves the transfer of 75,000 cubic yards of sand from Pillar Point Harbor to the adjacent Surfer’s Beach with the hiring of the company that will perform the work.
For years, the San Mateo County Harbor District acknowledged that a dredging project would be necessary to address a buildup of sand on the north side of the breakwater that was installed more than 50 years ago. The breakwater is largely responsible for blocking the natural flow of sand that led to the depletion of Surfer’s Beach and expedited erosion of the area cliffs, studies have shown.
The district received two responses to its request for proposals for the work and elected to sign the contract with ESA, an environmental science and planning firm, for the cost of $105,000.
San Mateo County Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously to go forward with the contract at their regularly scheduled Sept. 19 meeting. Each commissioner also spoke about the importance of the milestone.
“I’m just really pleased that this day has come,” said Commissioner Sabrina Brennan. “It’s been a long time in the making and I really appreciate all the staff’s work with the two firms that were bidding on this project and all the energy that has gone into making this happen.”
Brennan highlighted the work the district’s hired consultant had done in getting a variety of stakeholders on board with the project.
“I think this is a real sign of progress for this district,” Brennan said.
Commissioner Ed Larenas added that the district was also working on getting permits in place for repeated dredging.
“This is not a singular event,” Larenas said.
Commissioner Tom Mattusch, who chimed in on the meeting via telephone, said that the work will help address concerns with erosion around Highway 1, especially in light of climate change and the expected increase of more destructive winter storms.
Harbor Commission President Virginia Chang Kiraly acknowledged the work of former Harbor Commissioner Nicole David for her early efforts in getting the project going.
The process by which the sand will be transported is not set in stone but might include the use of dump trucks and/or conveyor belts. The exact placement of the sand has also not been decided either.
The work is expected to be completed in the spring or summer of 2019.
Source: Half Moon Bay Review
