Oil Piers Reef Update

BEACON is the lead agency on a proposal to construct an artificial surfing reef at Oil Piers. This is idea that originated when the piers were removed in 1998, causing loss of the surf break. At that time, Stanley's Reef Foundation was formed to promote a reef constructed from PVC pipe.

Several years later, BEACON was able to attract the interest of the Corps of Engineers to consider the project under their Section 227 Natural Erosion Control Development Program. In 2002, BEACON as the local project sponsor, and the USACOE began working on an artificial reef project at Oil Piers. The

USACOE contracted with ASR Ltd to develop a preliminary design for an offshore reef that will create a stable beach through wave rotation and energy dissipation. The proposed structure will consist of submerged sand-filled containers placed offshore of the beach.

In the past decade, ASR has constructed several sand bag reefs around the world, with limited success. In most cases the local surf communities have rejected the reefs' inability to create a surfable wave. Most recently, ASR has proposed using rocks to augment the sand bags in the New Zealand reef.

BEACON staff are currently working with the USACOE and ASR Ltd Team to deliver a new project design. Depending on federal funding, the goal is to have the project constructed in 2012.

The BEACON staff report is here: http://www.beacon.ca.gov/meetings/1105/PDFs/BEACON-SR-010-Oil-Piers-Update-Report-05-20-11.pdf

Meanwhile, BEACON completed environmental documents proposing at least five of these structures for the Santa Barbara/Ventura coastline. Surfrider commented that it may be premature to plan these other projects until we can demonstrate success at oil piers.

More commentary from Surfrider: Artificial Surfing Reefs
In the news: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jun/07/artificial-reef-planned-for-ventura-county-beach


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Stanley's and other lost surf breaks

'Stanley's' was a surf break along the northern Ventura County coast. Lost to Hwy 101 in 1970, Stanley's has become a local symbol of coastal destruction from freeways and harbors.

Around the world, surf breaks are threatened by development and pollution. The video below is one of many in Patagonia's new online surf catalog, which focuses on the theme "Protect Your Break." This 'e-catalog' is part of Patagonia's ongoing quest to minimize their footprint while producing functional products and delivering an inspiring message.




(Link to this video on YouTube )

The loss of Stanley's inspired local surfers to form the Stanley's Reef Foundation when the adjacent 'Oil Piers' surf spot was lost in the 1990's. Oil piers is slated as the site for an experimental 'artificial reef,' which seems to be back on track for construction sometime in the near future. Whether or not installation of plastic sand bags can re-create the natural wonder of Stanley's remains to be seen... (artificial reef case studies here)

But we should all learn from these losses, and be prepared to stand up and fight for the protection and restoration of the natural surf breaks around the world. Which is exactly why the Surfrider Foundation has worked for almost 20 years for 'managed retreat' at Surfers Point in Ventura, a project that will break ground right after labor day 2010.