TO: HARBOR COMMISSION
FROM: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE HARBOR COMMISSION’S POSITION ON COMMISSIONER CARLSON’S IDEA TO SEEK NECESSARY APPROVALS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE TO AUGMENT THE EXISTING ARTIFICIAL REEF LOCATED NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO KING HARBOR
DIRECTION TO STAFF AND COMMISSIONER CARLSON REGARDING THE PREPARATION OF A LETTER ARTICULATING THE COMMISSION’S POSITION ON AUGMENTING THE EXISTING REEF
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Redondo Beach Artificial Reef is 3/4 of a mile from the entrance to King Harbor and is frequently used by fishermen and scuba divers. The reef was originally constructed in 1962 with 1,000 tons of quarry rock. The first round of augmentation was conducted in 1974 with the addition of a steel barge, a second round in 1975 with 350 tons of cement pipe, a third round in 1976 with 700 tons of concrete pilings, a fourth round in 1978 with 200 concrete dock floats, and a final time in 1979 with 1,500 more concrete floats. Currently, the reef sits in 70 to 90 feet of water and is in no way a danger for vessel navigation.
Over the ensuing decades, the reef has crumbled and flattened out due to decay of manmade materials and storm action. However, over the next decade, the Redondo Beach King Harbor will undergo infrastructure improvements including repairs to the breakwall, replacement of pier pilings, replacement of floating docks, and the addition of a boat ramp. Commissioner Carlson proposes that the City seek permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to seek necessary permits that would allow for ongoing reef augmentation utilizing acceptable debris from these upcoming projects such as concrete, stones, and any other inert structural material.
Commissioner Carlson has drafted a letter that is meant to introduce the idea to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is included as an attachment to this staff report. He hopes to identify a path forward but is seeking support from the Commission to assist in the conversation with Fish and Wildlife.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Letter to CA Fish and Wildlife