Coastal Commission Takes a Look/See at Pebble Beach Slides and Other Projects

The California Coastal Commission team paid a visit to Crescent City last week for an on-site visit to observe first hand, the deteriorating slide damage which has closed iconic Pebble Beach Drive from 7th to 8th streets.

The City remains on a Declaration Emergency continuance pursuant to Public Contract Code but was unable to reiterate its emergency status at the May 6 meeting due to a lack of a 4/5 City Council quorum. Only three councilors were present at the first May meeting.

Public Works Director Dave Yeager says the City will need about $32 million to fully correct long-standing erosion from Pocket Beach at 9th St. to approximately 6th St., exacerbated by the severe February storms.

The as yet to be Emergency Opening (EO) project has been submitted:

• Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) 88 percent.

• Cal Trans / Office of Emergency Services, Nine percent.

The City’s portion, three percent, is approximately $1million The holdup in moving forward is the need for Congressional approval so the City may be reimbursed for its share of the improvements.

Sarah Christie, Coastal Commission North District Director said. “ today’s visit was incredibly helpful in observing the fragile coastline and committed full Commission effort in the planning and permitting process to proceed with a permanent fix. The Coastal team continued its on-site visits to Pt. St. George and Pacific Shores Subdivision. The Smith River Alliance was awarded a $1.5 million Coastal Conservancy grant in February to implement Tolowa Dee-ni cultural resource protections and construct 1.25 miles of California Coastal Trail, new restrooms, interpretive signage and parking lot improvements, adjacent to the Pt. St. George Trailhead.

The Team then headed north to Pacific Shores to see the progress made on the $1.3 million Coastal Conservancy grant also awarded to the Smith River Alliance. $500,000 of those funds is dedicated to pre-acquisition activities for beach, dune, wetland, upland and forested parcels within the Pacific Shores. The balance of the $800,000 will be dedicated to acquiring the vacated residential lots. When the project has been completed, ownership will be transferred to the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and be part of the expansion of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area.