Corps to research bluff erosion in Pismo Beach
By Danny Kelly

An eroded bluff along the coast of Pismo Beach. (Photo by Heather Schlosser)

District and City of Pismo Beach officials met during a ceremony in Long Beach to sign a much larger duplicate version of the agreement and a ceremonial check Sept. 25.  Officials signed the actual agreement Sept. 23.

“This ceremony, and the signing of the Federal Cost Sharing Agreement represents a significant step forward in our partnership with the Army Corps,” said Mary Ann Reiss, City of Pismo Beach mayor.

Upon completion of an IAR (Initial Appraisal Report), concluded in May, the district found there was a need for federal support in Pismo Beach, according to Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, Los Angeles District commander.

“We have made progress,” Magness said. “We are taking action.”

Heather Schlosser, Coastal Studies Group acting chief, said the project is slated to begin Oct.1, and should take around two years to complete.

According to a report from Schlosser, the study area is situated within the upper reach of San Luis Bay. Six areas have been identified as chronically erosional along approximately four miles of coast. At each area, recession has jeopardized existing street rights-of-way, infrastructure and public improvements.

Mary Ann Reiss, City of Pismo Beach mayor, hands a felt marker to Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, Los Angeles District commander, during a ceremonial signing of the Federal Cost Sharing Agreement between Pismo Beach and the district Sept. 25. (Photo by Jennie Ayala)

“The city of Pismo Beach requested that we look at Pismo Beach because of increased erosion in the last few years,” Schlosser said in her report. “After investigating the area it was determined that erosion to the bluffs is occurring partially as a result of wave attack to the toe of the bluff.”

A nearby effected area, Price Street, rests approximately 10 feet from the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The street connects the downtown area with Shell Beach and outlying areas, and is a primary transportation corridor, according to the report.

U.S. Highway 101, a major connector to Northern California, lies east of Price Street. According to the report, if no action is taken to remedy the problem, the erosion is expected to ultimately progress to the point where a significant threat to U.S. Highway 101 will develop.

“When we look at something like the loss of Price Street, and then perhaps the threat to the main highway there, we’re estimating something in the neighborhood of $240 million, a year, of potentially threatened (area), just in that location,” Magness said.

Lift stations which provide sewage utilities to residences in the area are also threatened, according to the report.
 
“As we look at some of the other sites,” Magness said. “What would be the impact of losing one of those lift stations?  What would be the impact, not only to the locals, but our water quality?”

Magness emphasized the importance of the study, and perhaps more important, future construction.

“Our process is our process, and you can’t skip steps,” Magness said. “But we’ll try to do all we can to compress those in a reasonable time line and get to construction.”