Final environmental statement, Surfside-Sunset and Newport Beach, Orange County, California

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT SURFSIDE-SUNSET AND NEWPORT BEACH ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Prepared byU. S. Army Engineer District, Los Angeles, California September 1974SUMMARY SURFSIDE-SUNSET-NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA ( ) (X) Final Environmental Statement RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: U.S. Army Engineer District, Los Angeles, California 1. NAME OF ACTION: (X) Administrative ( ) Legislative 2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: Construction, between October 1972 and March 1973, of Stages 4B and 5 of the authorized beach erosion control project in Orange County, California. Earlier stages were completed prior to requirement for EIS. Stage 4B and 5 construction included four rock groins averaging 510 feet in length and the placement of about 358,000 cubic yards of beach fill on eroded areas and between the groins. Other authorized project elements, including construction of a breakwater, extension of the Santa Ana River jetty and placement of additional fills, are deferred pending demonstration of need. 3 a. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Lost recreational and protective beach was restoredand stabilized. Loss of existing sandy beach marine habitat was prevented. New habitats were created in rock structures for rocky shore species. 3b. ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: Temporary turbidity duringconstruction. Loss of beach slope biota in area occupied by groins. Destruction or displacement of beach biota over about thirty acres of fill and borrow area. (Repopulation is probable). 4. ALTERNATIVES: No action; Annual beach replenishment; Revetments;Continuousbreakwater; Vegetative cover; Snow fencing; Submerged breakwaters; Condemnation and relocation of residents; Compressed-air breakwater. 5. COMMENTS RECEIVED: Agricultural Research Service,Soil & Water Research Div., USDA Nat. Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin., USDC U.S. Dept, of HUD Pacific Southwest Region, USDI Federal Aviation Admin., USDT U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Environmental Protection Agency Resources Agency of Calif. Orange