January 15th DPW announced a declaration of emergency along the Great highway due to erosion in the area of Sloat blvd. Soon after the Board of Supes filed a motion to concur with the Mayor and the declaration. There have been a couple of public meetings on the subject which catches us up to today.
One solution to this erosion, which has been used previously up and down the california coastline is to “armor” the coast with rip-rap (lg boulders) or sea walls. Both of which have been proven to be effective in the short term. These “solutions” also have been proven to simply relocate the problem, up or down the coast. E.g. putting rip-rap at Sloat will simply accelerate erosion of the beach, north and south.
Here at SurfPulse we are in strong support of finding an alternative solution to shoring up Sloat. If you do too, please make yourself heard and send this letter:
Take Action To Protect Ocean Beach
There is also another hearing on Tuesday, February 2, we will update when we have a location and time. And visit sloaterosionob.blogspot.com/ for additional information.
Photo credit: Coastal Erosion at OB Blog
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after living and surfing in japan, where much of the coastline has had seawalls constructed or huge concrete blocks (look like mega-size jacks)dropped on beaches to prevent erosion, the effects are a problem created somewhere else and usually a decline in surf quality–or disappearance of surf–at the specific location. That, and it’s just plain ugly–often by completely obstructing the view of the beach and ocean. Sloat may need an intermediate emergency plan to deal with the danger to the sewage pipe, but it must remain just that–an intermediate plan to evolve into a long-range plan to protect the road, the sewage plant pipes, and hopefully the quality of the surf.
How about a jetty off sloat, OB needs a consistent peak to surf….will anyone even notice if Fort Funston sharp park falls into the sea?
I moved here for years ago from New Hampshire via New York
and I regularly surf Sloat with about 600 of my buddies who, like me,
enjoy easy access to a mushy wave. I have no earthly idea what Iʻll do if I canʻt park there. Posing
is my life. Preening at Kellyʻs ainʻt going to fly plus I have all this worldly surf experience whereby
I know how giant jacks and jetties work. I am and OB MAN! and I will fight tooth and nail to claim it!
OB needs a consistent peak?????? Are you sure it’s not too consistent for ya already?
You got hard structure from Noreiga to Taravel, (although the section from Santiago to Taravel is further seaward )now and you still have plenty of beach andit even builds dunes which are used to provide sand for the southern Sloat lot replenishment.
So to say that hard surfaces can’t work is BS.
All they want to do is study.
2. STUDY AUTHORITY
The Congress of the United States has directed the Corps of Engineers to conduct a study of beach erosion along the shores in San Francisco County, California, with the following resolution adopted on 3 August 1989 by the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, U. S. House of Representatives:
“Resolved by the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the United States House of Representatives, that the Secretary of the Army in accordance with Section 110 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962, is requested to make, under the direction of the Chief of Engineers, studies of the shores in San Francisco County, California from the south county line to the Golden Gate Bridge and such adjacent shares as may be necessary in the interest of providing protection to public facilities, storm damage prevention, and other related purposes.”
3. STUDY PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this feasibility study is to determine the feasibility of Federal assistance in protecting public facilities along the Ocean Beach shoreline in the City and County of San Francisco from storm damage. The study scope assessed the Federal interest in five study alternatives – Dune Nourishment, (O’Shaughnessy-Type Seawall protection, Taraval-Type Seawall protection. Rubble Mound Structure protection, and No-Action – on three project reaches within the study area.
5. HISTORY OF STUDY AREA
Ocean Beach serves as a recreation area and as a buffer between the Pacific Ocean and the Great Highway. Since the 1840’s this strip of land has been used for transportation and recreation. Toward these purposes, various roadways and buildings have been constructed along the beach. Storms and erosion have continually threatened or destroyed these structures. The Ocean Beach study area has had urban impacts for more than 100-years; houses, roads, seawalls, buried sewer structures & construction debris. In the 1920’s, the City of San Francisco planned to design and construct a concrete seawall along the entire Ocean Beach shoreline to protect the highway and to make a boardwalk/amusement tourist area. Economic conditions in the 1930’s halted construction after only one mile of the project was completed. This seawall is known as the O’Shaughnessy Seawall, or esplanade, and it extends from the Cliff House south to Lincoln Way. The 665-foot long Taraval seawall was constructed in 1941 to protect the pedestrian underpass at Taraval Street and the Great Highway. Sand deposition from natural processes has since buried this wall and modified dune habitat covers this reach; the low profile wall (at elevation +13’ MLLW) is only visible during extreme erosion events
In 1972, the City and County of San Francisco gave all of the land at Ocean Beach west of the Great Highway right-of-way to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). To alleviate pollution of the Pacific Ocean from the discharge of untreated effluent, the City and County of San Francisco constructed the Westside Sewer Transport Box under the Great Highway in 1983. In March of 1988, construction of another seawall/promenade was begun to protect the Great Highway and sewer box between Noriega and Santiago Streets from major storms. This new seawall was completed in 1993. Ocean beach is subject to direct attack from waves approaching from the southwest to the northwest. High tides accompanied by large waves have caused recession of the dune
escarpment along the central and southern portions of the beach. Periodically, there is acute erosion of the beach and dunes between Moraga and Noriega Streets, Taraval and Uloa Streets, and from south of Sloat Boulevard to the Fort Funston cliffs. This erosion threatens shoreline improvements, local infrastructure, natural resources, public property and recreational activities. Previous studies have shown that major storms have eroded and will continue to erode sections of the beach and dunes.
6. HISTORY OF CORPS OP ENGINEERS STUDIES
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed five major studies of the San Francisco County coastline, which investigated seven alternatives within the current study area. The alternatives investigated and the five major studies are listed below.
Fort Funston California Beach Erosion Control Study San Francisco District, Corps of Engineers, 1940, This report determined it would not be feasible to construct a concrete seawall to protect the bluffs along Fort Funston.
Cooperative Beach Erosion Study of the Coast of Northern California, 1965 and 1975,by the Corps of Engineers and State of California. These were basic data gathering programs. Data included wave data, aerial photography. hydrographic surveys and sand sample analysis.
National Shoreline Study California Regional Inventory 1971. This report included shoreline configuration, ownership, use, type of beach, existing erosion protection, erosion potential and suitable protection of the California Coast
Shores of San Francisco County California Beach Erosion Study, 1972, San Francisco District, Corps of Engineers This study investigated the 8.6 miles of coastline along the City and County of San Francisco. This report recommended further study of the area between Lincoln Way and Fleishhacker Pool, a former City landmark subsequently destroyed, which was located near the San Francisco Zoo. The study found the coastline north of Lincoln Way and south of Fleishhacker Pool did not warrant further analysis. These areas were excluded because of the undeveloped nature of the reaches and lack of a critical erosion problem. The study did not progress into advanced analysis as Ocean Beach was incorporated into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972. At the time this study was discontinued, preliminary studies had been conducted on seven alternatives. These alternatives include: no action, extension of the Ocean Beach Esplanade, construction of a rubble-mound seawall, groin construction, placement of beach fill, dune stabilization, and construction of an artificial lagoon and beach fill. Preliminary findings indicated that detailed studies of the dune stabilization alternative should be conducted for thc reach of shoreline from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard. It also recommended that detailed studies of a rubble-mound seawall be conducted in the vicinity of Fleishhacker Pool.
Ocean Beach San Francisco California Feasibility Report July 1979. This Corps report was prepared for the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to evaluate the erosion problem at Ocean Beach and develop alternatives for long-range beach-erosion control along the beaches of San Francisco. This study concluded “With time the beach from Noriega Street south will recede, reducing or eliminating the dunes and restricting the usable width of corridor. The exact time frame is not known because of the variability and uncertainty of the erosion rate.” Three alternatives were developed and include: a beach fill plan, a rubble seawall plan, and a dune toe protection plan. The National Park Service has not implemented any of these or other alternatives to provide shoreline protection at Ocean Beach.
Superstrike,
As I understand it (RFI pending) the Corps has been for some years now dumping sand into the outer bars that replenish the beach at the locations your citing. This is not being done at Sloat at present.
All concerned DPW, Corps of Engineers, etc… all agree that the rock revetment is a fail in 5-10 years unless a replenishment plan is adopted… So no these “hard surface” options do not work.. EVER!
Sorry wish you were right..
And if you were I’d agree with you..
Peace
Rev.Mcc
Sloat is Falling Sloat is Falling.
Still.
You can’t fight city hall on this one.
Seems like for the short term we’re looking at creating a bad outcome which we can make better in the long term–throw rock now & implement a longer term solution–to prevent a disasterous outcome from which no good will come–sudden erosion causing a 14 foot pipe full of poop to burst onto OB. Unfortunately time is not on our side, and El Nino promises to bring more big storms this season. I still haven’t seen any viable alternatives to what the DPW is proposing as a short term solution.
We have heard all about this before, the poop pipe included. Why is it still there? And why do people think the government cares about them?
Great question, why is the poo pipe still there, and not rerouted as it’ll get eroded inevitably.
The solution is the La Jolla shoreline project at Scrips. The engineering system must allow the natural ebb and flow of sand to collect and be pulled. Scripps in La Jolla has a sea wall the works. Additionally, Rip rap is a norcal solution and is effective short term and ineffective long-term. The following link is an appropriate study done for Solano beach in San Diego. They take the time and care because the beach is a way of life in Southern California. Here it is an afterthought for the majority of Bay Area residents. If Gavin Newsom wants to get elected to higher office for the State of California, i.e. Senate of Govenor, then he needs to analyze the totality of the situation. http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/2/1/6/N%20Solana%20Beach%20Shoreline%20Erosion%20Study%201998.pdf
“Though we are ultimately primitives of the ocean and the beach, our work in this show points to history, tradition, nature, beauty and a purity of soul.”
This is a quote from Bob Carrillo’s (AKA BVB) curator’s statement from the YBCA show Surf Trip in 2000. In spite of its self-serving and self-important tone it does speak to the aspirational hopes of mankind’s endeavor in all of its permutations. It would seem that the man who wrote this (assuming that the above posting is by Carrillo) might see in the insinuation of the ocean into the coast at Sloat an opportunity for redress of historical precedent in dredging and armoring, a growing tradition of surfers protecting coastlines and certainly the beauty of nature as we are witness to its actions on a coast on which we are mere tenants. Instead he sees an opportunity for sophomoric attention grabbing in the face of a real crisis?
“I am and OB MAN! and I will fight tooth and nail to claim it!”
This from a man qualified to judge the purity of souls.
Thanks to all who are marshaling their energies to address this difficult situation at Sloat.
Jeff Matt
THE SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING!
That was then Bro-heim. This is now. And now means this: 5,000 more SF surfers who, as I see it, lack any kind of soul. Riding a Danny Hess or faking a Jesus Machado turn on your bonzer fish does no automatically take you back to ʻ79. It does not purify you. Behaving as if you alone are the “ultimate
jive ass surfer” is not pretty thing to watch x 5000 = OVER SATURATION.
A new breed and a younger generation feeding off the industry like babes to a tit.
Whining about YOUR beloved Sloat. “Real Crisis!” OMG! The ocean wins. You lose.
Forget the bonding crap. Surfing has become a joke unto itself and I hereby rededicate myself to exposing all the flim-flam and shame that you are trying to pass off as CARE. Let SURFRIDER and Massara take care of it – leave off with your priestly rambling.
Right now I’m wearing a rad necklace I made from pieces of styrofoam cups and cigarette butts.
You Blokes Suck! ….What you need is a superbank!!! Army Core of Engineers can do it! ….Show some nadds and support your local SuperBank!
so, exactly what is it that we want? and why would city hall want to do it? to make a section of the beach better for surfing? it would be nice if a few protest letters from an obscure stakeholder group could get some government entity to spend a hundred million dollars to improve the surf, but i’m not counting on it. but if someone wants to set up a means to make it easy for surfers in masse to request something specific, go for it!
ATTENTION IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED:
Yeah, what he said. Here is what I want. Any tranny with less than 15 years time in at YOUR NEWLY beloved OB is hereby assigned the task of shoring up the road, BY HAND, rock by rock, every day until October 1, 2010. You figure out how it all fits together. And for every rock you place I want you to chant the names of 100 original surfers from this area. After your done with 1966 begin listing again another 100 names and so on and so on until you get to today or tomorrow.
Also required are spiritual rocks gathered from Fullerʻs Beach – we need over a thousand – do the math.
THIS WEBSITE IS NOT FOR SALE BUT NEEDS A NEW NAME.
Bad Vibes equals more douchebag negativity from a transplant cum local who thinks his shit don’t stink, resents the surf industry he depends on to surf, resents the marketing co-opted surfer lifestyles and wanks on and on about how groms shouldn’t take up surfing. When will BVB grow up and become a waterman instead of a self-centered harping water boy?
Suggest using his fat stupid bloated ego as an offshore storm surf buffer. With a douchey ego that big we could protect Sloat, the parking lot, the Great Highway and most of Fort Funston.
Think of the A-frames that could form off of his pointy self-satisfaction. The only problem with such an idea would be the foul stench of BVB’s sense of self entitlement, an influx of underleg crabs and his oil slick of fetid douche.
OB crusty swagger belongs to the old Kelly’s Power Squadron, not loudmouth water turds stuck in the past.
Dude, BVB– you’ve got to chill or get back on your meds. what is this business about newbies stacking rocks? Were you traumatized by some goat loving frat boys in college or something?
Surfing is a fn sport man. Make it a way of life if you like– more power to you. I hope you find some balance through that— though it seems to have eluded you thus far.
the whole 15 years needed to enjoy OB– list original surfers yadayada–give me a fukin break. Ever go skiing or snowboarding? Those mountain men and south lake drunks must see you as some kind of interloper. Would you take them seriously if they told you to learn their fathers names before you hit the lift? You sound like a clown.
What’ll you do if you move one day? Get on your knees and pray at the shorline to be worthy to enjoy the spot? Go to the public library and learn everything your can about the local scene, write all the surfers names in your notebook in triplicate? fukin a man– it’s ridiculous. If you dont enjoy surfing here anymore– then dont surf– its for fun– enjoy it or dont do it.
Didn’t they build a protective offshore reef off the Chevron refinery in El Porto (SoCal)?
Why can’t we do that here?
I agree with BVB on all points concerning surfing, surfers and the ocean. Can we put BVB in charge or some how elect him as a representative for us? We need to get him beyond the internet and into some real face time with other official humans. This sounds satirical but I’m actually serious.
Bob, you’re a hero and speak for a lot of the people who surf OB. I think you should have your own column.
If anyone has even been down there to look, isn’t it actually the great highway and parking lot that needs saving?
….and haven’t we been observing this situation for longer than many of these “environmental” organizations have existed? Where have they been? Where was the whiny cry for saving sloat when it could have made a difference and avoided the emergency situation in the first place?
Don’t you think there are some other real problems in the world greater than the fact that you can’t park your car in the lot with your boards on the roof and act cool?
Go back to SoCal where you came from, BVB.
You wore out your welcome at OB a _long_ time ago, this is why you must hide under the bridge like the crusty old troll you are.
Funny how the most noise and loudest complaints / bitching come from the guys who can’t surf very well and are consumed by fear and loathing.
Go home, Bob.
Thanks for the props broheims! Breaking rocks is tough work – I realize it would take away from your
surf time but try and make the sacrifice. Back when I was kid at Malibu, (1972) Don Redondo de Vaca came
up from Sepulveda and stayed with us at Topanga for a week. He made us carry sand from the canyon to the beach – as it had turned out the waves that winter battered the coast and left nothing BUT exposed rock on the beach. The sand, I guess, had drifted towards Punta Conejo, Mexico…
We thought he was nuts making us wear heavy army boots and heavy coats. And yes, we chanted and we chanted. I quit the name listing thing @ John Peck. Never got to Allen Sarlo.
It was weird. Soon our parents got involved and they ran Don out of town. But you know what? We saved the beach! And that summer was the best porn surfing EVER! It is where I honed my front side style and attack.
Chant: BVB BVB BVB
(YEARS: 1975 – )
Gosh I’ve only been surfing for a couple of years… But I can still love the ocean and the beach.. I can still resist my government doing something expensive and dumb and sure to fail (for all the good that’s done me in the past) again.. And I can still press for something other than a pile of rocks…
If it’s ok with all of you I’ll take a pass on the “I’ve been at it since…” measure your _______ contest..
No contest.
Rocks maybe, but please no logs, telephone poles, tires, etc. They did that at El Granada. Every once in a while one of the logs would dislodge a suddenly there’s a log right in front of you a flying down the line.
I agree with Bob
Re: hauling, et al. Biggest
Rocks for Red Sox fans.
Nancy Drew
Posted February 5, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Bad Vibes equals more douchebag negativity from a transplant cum local who thinks his shit don’t stink, resents the surf industry he depends on to surf, resents the marketing co-opted surfer lifestyles and wanks on and on about how groms shouldn’t take up surfing. When will BVB grow up and become a waterman instead of a self-centered harping water boy?
Suggest using his fat stupid bloated ego as an offshore storm surf buffer. With a douchey ego that big we could protect Sloat, the parking lot, the Great Highway and most of Fort Funston.
Think of the A-frames that could form off of his pointy self-satisfaction. The only problem with such an idea would be the foul stench of BVB’s sense of self entitlement, an influx of underleg crabs and his oil slick of fetid douche.
OB crusty swagger belongs to the old Kelly’s Power Squadron, not loudmouth water turds stuck in the past
Bob she called you a douche twice Ha Ha!
What Ob needs more of IS crusty swagger instead of preeners and posuers.
You’ll never, I said NEVER, get the City to do anything contructive (pardon the pun) about Sloat.
You can quote me on dat.
Long live BVB.
To the Bu’ and beyond…
And for christ sake would you Trannys quit calling him Bad “VIBES” Bob
It’s Bad VIBE Bob.Singular
Sheese.
I can’t hear you ##?
It is VIBES, plural because bob has two ovaries…
Nancy Boy Drew has a terrible potty mouth. Relax, Iʻll save Sloat for us all.
Today I will begin the process of rocks and chanting…
Meet me @Sloat if you want to help. 2:30 pm.
BVB! BVB! BVB! you can keep gargling ball sack. great, another old grumpy wrinkled testicle in the lot watching empty pipes. just keep taking it in the ass. I cant stand these old crusty queefs clogging lineups like a dump clogs the shitter.
Would that be like a giant wall of douche water from the potty of your soul? I donʻt get it. Write something
interesting – something funny, witty, smart, mature.
EXAMPLE:
I was there man! I was there!
From the bluff I watched the action – shoulder to shoulder with my brethren NORCAL surfers young and old. It was great watching the local surfers charge. Someone on here or SF Gate wrote in that it would be not so
big and rideable at OB! Not this beach!
For the record I surfed big lefts and got long rights; I retartweetered it from the parking lot @ The Lane yesterday at 2 pm, didnʻt you guys get the message yesterday?
p.s. Localism is dead.
this shit is frikin gay– and not in the fine fellows from the castro way– in the fuckin lame, fuckin boring, peppered egos and tons of bullshit sense of the word. Shut up bob– no body want to hear about how grumpy other people make you… and no body wants to read about you being a wrinkled testicle. so hows about everybody shut it, hope conditions out hear improve, and realize that DPW wwas going to take the cheapest route- period
Yeah, what he said!
hi wazzup… i just wanted to say that my Zuse Computer is crashing when I click on the text… are you using some js or something?
I just used these guys http://www.pronghornservices.com