Breakwater Proposals

To help people understand some of the proposals for reconfiguring the Long Beach Breakwater, Surfrider has come up with simplified cross-sections of the current breakwater configuration, extending 13' above the water at low tide and 50-60' below the water to the bottom. They are still trying to get the money to research what should be done to reconfigure the breakwater, but these are previous proposals that have been set up as examples of ways it can be removed in any scenario.


Proposal 1: Remove the top 20-30 feet of rock and spread excess boulders

This underwater marine sanctuary will allow ocean currents and boats to continue to go in and out of Alamitos Bay by simply removing the top 20-30 feet of rock and spreading excess boulders flat along the ocean floor around the existing breakwater.


Proposal 2: Gather boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to create an island

This island would serve as a submerged and above-ground habitat for marine life and a bird sanctuary by gathering boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater and creating an island sround what already exists.


Proposal 3: Redeploy boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to other breakwater projects

Redeploying this material within the harbor would significantly reduce the costs of projects planned or underway. Since the Port of Long Beach currently has other breakwater projects underway or being considered, the top 20-20 feet of the existing Long Beach can be redeployed.

As Surfrider states, "It is firmly believed that if the Long Beach breakwater did not exist today, it would not be built today. As has already been noted, despite the existence of this structure, erosion and flooding is still a concern in parts of the community. The lack of tourism, the decline in property values, the loss of natural resource and the environmental devastation linked with the breakwater cannot justify the "calm waters" which appears to be the only residual benefit the structure offers today to a limited number of pleasure craft and an occasional commercial vessel awaiting clearance into port."

These proposals are meant to be a guide in ways to reconfigure the breakwater, however there has not been a single approach that has been decided. The "Long Beach" portion of the breakwater is the easternmost edge of Alamitos Bay, bordered by Queen's Way Gate to the west, a primary entrance to the Port of Long Beach, and the Alamitos Channel to the east, the entrance to Naples Island. The western portions of the breakwater extend as far as San Pedro Bay and are not effected by this project which is considered to protect the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles and vital to their operation. Environmental restoration along Long Beach's shores is being carefully evaluated in cooperation with the Port operations.

The Long Beach Peninsula is going to face erosion and flooding concerns with or without the breakwater. Although a solution must be made to help them, there is no reason to keep the breakwater because it is not a solution. Long Beach, along with many California beaches, face severe erosion problems. If the breakwater is removed, natural waves will return. There will probably be a need for some type of sand replenishment, however this is already happening in many beaches along the California Coast. There are so many benefits in removing the Long Beach Breakwater, yet so far there has been no significant benefits identified. It has outlived its purpose, and it is time that we start funding the campaign to Sink the Breakwater and consider the future of Long Beach.

Proposals for Sinking the Breakwater

Long Beach Pike on the Pier

"Every summer, from as early as I can remember (around 1947) I would travel with my grandparents from Phoenix to Long Beach. Though the years blur in my memory, what stands out clearly are my summer days at Rainbow Pier with my mom, where she'd rent me a paddleboard to skim around inside the lagoon, and those spent at the Pike. This was before the breakwater was built." -Richard Dowdy

There are many stories similar to this one, where many childhood memories consisted of the Pike and surfing in Long Beach. It is important to understand and listen to those who have seen the changes in Long Beach firsthand. The information being passed along is evidence that we should not take for granted because eventually we will only be able to look back at stories passed along from one generation to the next.

With so many people still living today who have experienced these unfortunate changes in Long Beach, we should be able to Sink the Breakwater. Stories such as this are very powerful because they have more meaning than something you might read in a textbook. Most of us already know that the quality of Long Beach needs to improve, but many people do not realize that the Long Beach Breakwater has been a huge cause of the downfall. Maybe this will make people curious and wonder if what I am saying is really true because most of us living today cannot think of wonderful childhood memories in downtown Long Beach. At least we all know that Long Beach needs to make some improvements. Either way, there is heaps of factual evidence and recollections of the changes that have been made in Long Beach, and these have occurred since the breakwater was built.


I would like to mention that by adding the "New Pike" in Long Beach, they have begun to try and make improvements to the city. This obviously is not the same as it once was, but at least we are moving toward a more positive direction. The next thing we need to do is bring back waves and a cleaner beach to Long Beach because arcades, shops, and restaurants are not going to increase tourism, or keep Long Beach residents in the city they used to enjoy.


For more information and personal stories about the Pike, visit:
The Pike

Sink the Breakwater: Facebook Chapter

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study, and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, uploas an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about people they meet.

Also included in Facebook, is an application that allows you and other members to join groups by subtypes such as geography, students groups, or common interests. As we all know, networking amongst youth is quite influential. I came across a group under common interest-beliefs and causes called Sink the Breakwater. The description for this group invites everyone who is "ashamed of the Long Beach surf and would like to walk down the Penni along a pristine beach to the sound of roaring waves that rival any on the West Coast." This group has already captured the attention of the 66 members it holds, and I believe it will carry on to influence the way many people think about the Long Beach Breakwater.

After coming upon this group, I became interested in knowing more thoughts from the creator, Patrick McEveety. I sent a message asking him to share his thoughts, and he responded:

The breakwater is both unaesthetic and detrimental to the city of Long Beach. It was built by the Marine Corps for the purposes of the military, which no longer has a base in Long Beach. Today it serves as a breakwater to calm the powerful Pacific swells from invading the port of Long Beach. However, the size of the breakwater today is not essential to serve its purpose. much of the west breakwater could be demolished and with little repercutions to the stability of the harbor. Furthermore, additional breakwaters could be added in the east toward the shoreline to serve this purpose. But why do this? Why spend millions demolitioning a breakwater only to be in need of building a possible supplementary breakwater? Because the Long Beach Breakwater has the ability to change the economy and culture of Long Beach. Without a breakwater the beaches could be opened up to citizens, and increase tourism and nature.

Today, the Long Beach Breakwater has severely altered the pollution in the surrounding waters for the worse. Just look at the prevelance of redtide, or how dirty the water is after a storm. Not only this, but it has been horrible for the beaches themselves. The peninsula is erroding at an increasing rate while other areas continue to widen, causing the need for sand relocation to the penninsula in the winter months which is financially a heavy burden on the city. But the best reason for demolishing, modifiying or replacing this breakwater with an adjacent breakwater is the effect that it can have on the local economy. If the breakwater were removed, Long Beach could enjoy the same kind of beach goes as Huntington, Manhattan or Malibu. People come to the beach for the waves, for the shops and for a day of peace along the water, but Long Beach doesn't receive this in a substantial way because none of that is there. Just look at photos of the beach in the early century. The beaches were flooded. This could be the case today if the breakwater was removed, even if just at the west end, waves would reform, beachfront property could be rezoned for commercial uses and people would soon follow. It is hard to understand why the city, which seems to be bent on changing Long Beach to an entertainment and tourist destination, cant see the obvious potential of the beaches here, and the revenue it would undoubtedly create. Within years this new revenue (possibly created by a new lively and commercialized ocean avenue along with the attention and increased numbers that would help almost all businesses in Belmont Shore and downtown) would pay for the actual cost of demolition and recreation of the breakwater.

And lastly, Long Beach has the potential, judging from its past, to have some of the greatest waves on earth. For surfers (like me) and for nearly anyone this creates attention, more attention and more advertisement than the city of Long Beach could ever hope for. The military and city officials need to get real about this and open their eyes to the project that changed Long Beach for the worse forever. They need to realize that Long Beach can be a haven, a resort and most of all a place of interest to people from around the world.

I think that McEveety has very powerful thoughts, and there is a lot of information people may want to consider. Even with the help of college students showing their support through a group on the Internet adds an important aspect to the entire campaign to Sink the Breakwater. If you are a member of Facebook, you should look into joining and supporting this group, otherwise consider the thoughts that have been stated above.

Facebook

Green Port Fest

On October 13, the Port of Long Beach held its third annual Green Port Fest. This day of entertainment and fun was held by the Port of Long Beach aiming to minimize or eliminate its negative impact on the environment. This is based on the ideas behind the "Green Port Policy" to promote environmental stewardship and compliance, sustainability, community education and earth friendly technology. The Port of Long Beach said that they welcomed 7,000 visitors to the event for the opportunity to learn about their environmental initiatives, cargo operations, and security programs. Their website states, "The Port is recognized internationally as one of the world’s best seaports and locally as a partner dedicated to helping the community thrive." If the port is so environmentally savvy and dedicated to helping their own community, why won't they help pay for the breakwater study?

Like I mentioned in a previous post, the Port had the chance to contribute $50,000 to match Long Beach City Council's contribution, but the Port voted against it. Their partial sponsorship could have eventually led to a better Long Beach, but they decided to look the other way. Do you still think the Long Beach Port is concerned for the environment?

The Green Port Fest

Fishing in Filthy Water

The Long Beach Breakwater is one of the largest man made harbors in the world. The depth is very unique for this type of structure which is favored by fisherman. According to George's Corner, a section of fishing articles through Big Fish Tackle, the Long Beach Breakwater is an important factor that contributes to their fishing adventures. The diversity of fish is extremely high which makes the experience exciting. Although anglers enjoy their unique adventures, why would they want to fish in filthy water? Personally, I feel that the Long Beach Breakwater is not a great place to go fishing. There is a major abundance of fish as the breakwater serves as a habitat, but the fish being caught are living in filthy water. I would not be interested in eating fish living in a dirty habitat, and I am sure many people would not like to either. People are worried about the quality of water and avoid swimming in it, so why would you take fish that swim in that filthy water and consume it?

Big Fish Tackle

Breakwater Bash

On Thursday, November 15, the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hold a special event to raise funds and awareness in reconfiguring the Long Beach Breakwater. All you need is $10 at 7pm at Smooth's Sports Grille in downtown Long Beach. The idea of the event is to continue outreach through the ongoing campaign of restoring the shore, which brings us back to the 1930s. That is when people actually used to swim in the water. The vintage event will include bands, a silent auction, unique artwork, gift baskets, raffle prizes, including a surfboard. From 7-8 Roberto Dias will be selling and signing his Olas Books Series with 20% of the sales directly given to the Long Beach Chapter. From 9-9:30, there will be a short video presentation on the Sink the Breakwater Campaign and featuring guest speaker Jim Moriarty, Surfrider Foundation's CEO. Following the presentation until 11pm you will have the opportunity to dance and listen to Jim Fuller & The Beatnik playing Blues, Jazz, Surf, and Rock. Please support the event by donations for the silent auction and raffle, or by turning up to Smooth's Sports Grille on November 15th. Your support could help bring waves and a cleaner shore back to Long Beach. Hope to see you there.
For more information on this special event:
Breakwater Bash

Street Sweeping

Have you ever forgotten that it was street sweeping day and been upset to find a ticket against your windshield? Although annoyed, many people do not realize the serious affects to the environment if they fail to follow street sweeping guidelines. Weekly, people forget to move their cars, and all that has been stopped in the gutter will runoff into the sewage system and end up in the Long Beach harbor. It is unfortuante that nearby cities such as Lakewood do not have proper street sweeping and are allowing their runoff to pollute Long Beach. This pollution affects the health of human and marine life and affects tourism. All of the toxins that are built up and washed into the ocean have a huge affect on Long Beach. As I have mentioned in other posts, the Long Beach harbor remains polluted because there is not enough water activity due to the breakwater. So remember, it is not hard to keep your car in the driveway or move it to the other side of the street twice a week. The community needs the support of everyone in order to keep Long Beach clean. If people continue to block the street sweeper, the beach is going to stay like the picture below. Until we can sink the breakwater, we should prevent making Long Beach worse. Protect our ocean.

Surf Long Beach

"Hi Everyone! Southern California is great! All of the beaches are full of people except Long Beach. Back in the day it used to be one of the most popular beaches-now it is just so polluted that hardly anyone comes here. The local Surfrider Foundation chapter sampled water looking for signs of pollution and it is bad news! Just off shore there is a giant rock breakwater that was built for the Navy in the 1940s. The Navy left but the breakwater is still here and because of it the water is stagnant and dirty. Local Surfrider members are trying to get the breakwater removed or altered so the beach can come back to life. Sounds like a good idea to me! Well, I am leaving to a cleaner beach nearby. See you soon! XOXO"

This is a brilliant postcard created by the Long Beach chapter of Surfrider Foundation. The picture above is the front of the postcard. This amusing picture is reinstating the fact that if there actually was surf in Long Beach, you would need to be completely covered to avoid a disease you might get from the polluted water. The quote is written on the back of the postcard and is thoughtfully laid out to inform the public. I think this was a creative way to explain the problem the breakwater has created. I find this absolutely hilarious because it is basically true, and I hope that after seeing this you are even more convinced about sinking the breakwater.

"Missed the Boat"

Due to the lack of wave action and recreational surf, increased water stagnation, and high bacteria levels, there was a vote amongst the Harbor Commission whether or not to support the Long Beach City Council in a $100,000 joint fun to study the reconfiguration of the Long Beach Breakwater. Surfrider Foundation has held meetings continuously trying to gain support of the city. Unfortunately, on August 20, the Harbor Commission decided 3-2 denying the support and financial aid toward this study. The study that had been proposed in July by the City Council would consider the impacts of removing or reconfiguring the breakwater. This vote simply meant putting money toward the study, not for the actual reconfiguration. Commissioner James Hankla, Doris Topsy Elvord, and Mike Walter rejected the idea while Commission President Mario Cordero and Commissioner Nick Sramek supported. Sramek has the right idea in saying that regardless of the board's position on the issue, this is a concern that must be studied. This study is simply finding out data and understanding what can be done to improve Long Beach. For the Port to be so concerned in promoting a green environmental policy, they should look at how to improve Long Beach and the quality of the water. As another advocate for the study, Fourth District Councilman Patrick O'Donnell says that by refusing to participate, the commissioners "missed the boat".

I am impressed with the Long Beach City Council's decision to support the study of reconfiguring the breakwater. The Long Beach Chapter of Surfrider Foundation has continuously fought for this issue, and they have finally gained some recognition. It is unfortunate that the port has decided not to participate. I think that the study of the breakwater should still be conducted, and the money will have to be found elsewhere. Many people realize that Long Beach has water quality issues, and many are also starting to realize that the Long Beach Breakwater plays a major role in this issue. I would like to see someone step forward soon because the funding for this study could have a major impact in the future years of Long Beach.

The Press Telegram

Rain and Rubbish

Why is runoff from storm drains a problem?

Storm drains direct runoff from urban areas to the ocean. While they do not normally contain sewage, water in storm drains can contain disease-causing pathogens. Depending on the amount of flow, the discharging storm drains can affect ocean water quality several hundred yards from the discharge point. Much greater areas may be affected following major rainstorms. When this happens, beaches are posted with the appropriate sign, warning the public to avoid storm water and runoff. After a rainstorm, the ocean waters impacted by the storm should be avoided for at least 72 hours (Health and Human Services).

As seen in the video posted below, storm drains lead directly to the ocean. Rain should be the only thing being washed into the drain, yet there is also a constant flow of rubbish. On September 23 and 24, work crews for the Los Angeles County's Department of Public Works collected 175 tons of material that would have led to the ocean. Most of our beaches seemed to have less debris, but that was only due to lack of rain. The weekend rain brought out the debris, and we are fortunate that some of the material was collected by the mouth of the Los Angeles River. This trash was stuck in the boom collection systems. The city had built it to try and protect runoff from entering the ocean. Although a lot of debris were collected, many debris will find its way to Long Beach's shoreline. With the ongoing lack of water circulation due to the breakwater, this rubbish will circulate throughout the Long Beach harbor and maintain poor water quality.

Health and Human Services
The Press-Telegram

Only Rain Down the Drain

Heal the Bay Report Card Shows Fs and Ds in Long Beach

Joe Segura, a staff writer for the Long Beach Press Telegram, wrote an article on September 27 after Heal the Bay released the 2007 Report Card. Although Long Beach's ratings improved since last year, they failed to receive anything higher than a C. The only reason the grades seemed to improve was due to a record drought this year as well as stopping untreated runoff into Alamitos Bay. It is believed that surrounding cities would receive higher scores if they were not near Long Beach and Catalina. Due to high bacteria levels Seal Beach just posted advisories. Long Beach continues to be one of the dirtiest beaches in the state, and the results are a source of data which might be used in the debate of removing the breakwater. The lack of water circulation in Long Beach due to the breakwater may be the cause of poor water quality.

I feel that this data is another sufficient piece of evidence in how the breakwater is affecting Long Beach and surrounding beaches. Long Beach has continually received low scores in water quality, and although they improved slightly this year, they are still one of the lowest in the state. I am glad that the city is finally connecting this issue with the idea of possibly removing the breakwater. If you look up and down the coast, the rest of the cities seem to have As except for Long Beach and others adjacent. Hopefully this study will continue, and we will find out more information soon in order to improve Long Beach.

To view the complete Heal the Bay report card for California follow the link below:

2007 California Summer Beach Report Card