18 comments

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  John

  11 months ago

  A very thorough, entertaining, and informative article. The kind of article that used to be found regularly in the press-telerag. Thank you.
  In the meantime can we all pray for a killer storm to knock down the top of the breakwater?
  Jenny, how long are the middle and wrong beach breakwaters?
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  Jennifer Stockdale

  11 months ago

  I don't know if I'd pray for that storm just yet John, mainly because this city is not ready for any "100-years" storm---the L.A. River would overflow and terrorize Long Beach. It would be similar to Hurricane Katrina and may have no effect on the Breakwater. It gets worse: The city has no real evacuation plan. It's one huge nightmare waiting to happen.
  
  On a different note:
  The total breakwater complex (all three segments) is 8.14 miles long (43,002 feet) and sits 1.5 miles from shore.
  
  The San Pedro Breakwater (over by the Port of Los Angeles) is 11,152 feet long and was completed in 1937.
  
  The Middle Breakwater (in front of the Port of Long Beach) is 18,500 feet long and was completed in 1942.
  
  The Long Beach Breakwater (in front of the city's coast) 13,350 feet long and was completed in 1949.
  
  Some are convinced that this whole structure is made from Catalina Island rock, but I found a 1944 L.A. Times article that begs to differ. Apparently, some rock came all the way from Riverside.
  
  As Quoted from "Riverside Hills Provide Rock for Navy Project" Aug 5, 1944
  
  "So hard and resistant are the chunks of Granite blasted from the Orman quarry hills that it is considered superior in every respect for marine foundations...Operated now by Guy F. Atkinson Co., it has provided rocks for great projects such as the Long Beach Breakwater."
  
  Hmm.
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  Dave in Alamitos Beach

  11 months ago

  I thought this was an extremely well written article. It answered a few questions I've had for quite a while about the process of the studies that will be done.
  
  Can someone make sure this gets to Laura Richardson, Debbie Cook, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Barack Obama, etc. Someone has to be able to help, particularly after reading such a clear case for the destruction, or at least reconfiguration, of the East part of the Breakwater.
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  Sam Lowry

  11 months ago

  I can live the childhood dream of owning a home near the beach because of the "affordable" coastal housing market that the breakwater causes, albeit, indirectly. Y'know, as much as we all love to bitch about how piss-poor this city is run, I do love living here. And yes, the higher property values of a beach with actual surf would be a bonus, but being able to swim in clear waters would be paradise. If our beaches turned all wavy like Newport or Huntington or Hermosa overnight, I would deal with the traffic and the crowds, regardless of how badly LB city hall would fuck it all up.
  
  It would be nice to see the breakwater reconfigured, in the absence of complete elimination. Good should not be the enemy of perfect. But knowing all of the bureaucracies involved, I wouldn't bet on any of it happening in my lifetime. That's OK. Believe it or not, this place is already damn near Utopian, regardless of the constant, and usually unsuccessful, struggle to keep its stewards' heads out of their asses.
  
  After these beautiful hand-drawn diagrams, I am certain of this: maybe the grandchildren I hope to someday have with Jenny Stockdale will enjoy a "functional, wave-bearing, healthier beach." Excellent reporting and illustration, Ms. Stockdale, it's always a pleasure to read your work.
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• 

  coastal advocate

  11 months ago

  Our experts see Political opposition behind a lot of this stalling. We all heard Gary basically promising to not touch the breakwater while he campaigned, sadly.
  
  If our Councilman was behind us, we could probably proceed with alacrity. This City and others, have contracted,owned and leased floating dredges and dredge cranes many times in the past. The small older ones are reasonable to buy outright. (I saw one once for a miserable $50K). Let's get a few more pieces of used equipment, avoid this paralysis of over analysis and proceed with modest 'test modifications' as spec'd out in house? As we have so many times in the 50s, 60's and 70's? Then we quietly stretch the definition of modesty.
  
  We are always so afraid of Engineering liability downtown nowadays, that we farm so very much of the rewarding work out. Then after consultant after consultant, study after study, we award a lightly bid, or no bid contract to who? .Isn't it always more or less the same folks doing the marine work around here? And the repair, and maintenance ? Could they be against this? They were among Gary's biggest donors? So, let's step away from any possible conflict,ask more questions and stay as independent and objective as we can too.
  
  Our team downtown has the ability and skill set, to handle most of this in house, like they did for decades. All they need is direction, time and courage in a way? We have seen them tire of waiting years for State approvals from CALTRANS for instance, and seen them simply proceed. Why couldn't we fast track a meaningful first step?
  
  The'' let's get going'' analysis has not really changed for at least 2 decades that we have been analysing this or otherwise involved? It begins with modest and gradual 'in house' test modifications which are documented to begin a cost/benefit analysis that is gathering real word results over time. The data gathering is classic engineering student project stuff. This is also the kind of 'extra credit' our staff engineers would take home and on the weekends for 'Brownie Points' aimed towards future promotions.
  
  On the Legal side, basically, and colorably, many have argued, declare and document a significant and substantial local need, on an emergency basis based upon the terrible water quality figures, and other arguably continuing 'damages' or problems. This could include the trash problems, the maintenance expense, the dangerous toxicant levels, past, present and prospective erosion problems and the continuing sand losses, for example..
  
  Then have our Staff lawyers agree to indemnify anyone harmed, which will be nobody. Also agree to restore the removed rocks should damages result during the testing phases, which they won't, accccording to some very qualified sources. And process all the remaining paperwork as we proceed !
  
  I'd bet my friends and I could get the Coastal Permit, and many would do their part for free, or expenses, as usual.
  
  Thus, and basically of course, we '' Steal the march'' and put the onus on the Federal government to stop us? Do you really think this would be a high priority if we were carefully studying actual test modifications in house? We have seen these guys come on board in the past ? for example as we built out the harbor land fill in phases, as we cured subsidance, and as we imported and exported sand historically? There are many examples over the decades?
  
  A lot of this could a co-operative venture overseen by our Engineers, retired rs Professional volunteers, and any other group of Engineering professors and students willing to step forward. CSULB could help, and offered to do so in the past ? I recall the Scripts Institute showing some interest a few years ago ? This City can do great things with a can do attitude and a willingness to embrace a little risk. And if we have to go around Gary, well, it won't be the first time.
  
  GREAT JOB JENNIFER !! We will contact you soon. 1000 THANKS !! Hey Dave, give her a raise !
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  Dave in Alamitos Beach

  11 months ago

  I don't know who Coastal Advocate is, and I can't really agree with all of his logic, but I am intrigued by the "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" approach.
  
  However, I still think there has to be some easy way to get the US Navy and/or the Army Corps of Engineers to sign off on a document saying the Breakwater is "abandoned property" that now belongs to the city. Can't this just be an Addendum to the document which turned over the naval station to the city for $1? Surely there is a creative lawyer out there with some good ideas who wants to become the most beloved lawyer in Long Beach, no?
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  RKJ

  11 months ago

  O come-on people, who needs surf and clean water? A vibrant beach/surf culture along LB’s waterfront? Millions of dollars in revenues coming in? I’m mean look what clean water/surf has done to La Jolla, San Diego, Carlsbad, Pacific Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, etc….. God knows we don’t need that happening here. We would rather have the empty beaches each weekend in the good ol’ LBC. Some thugs with their BBQ’s a-burn’n, drinking cans of Bud… now that’s a beach scene good enough for a painting.
  
  LB leadership has all but ruined our city's greatest natural attractions. Well just this past weekend, an annual swim contest was cancelled... you guessed, these snobby swimmers wouldn't swim in our toilet water... (how dare they expect a few homeowners down on the peninsula to want the rest of LA county to have a clean water front that millions of tax paying citizens could enjoy... just so they don't have to worry about some "possible" flooding). Maybe they should have looked up the word "peninsula" before moving there!
  
  LBch past 70 of leadership is a textbook example of what NOT to do. I pray that West and Foster can turn things around.
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  James

  11 months ago

  This is a fantastic article. Of all the reports I have read concerning the Federal Breakwater, this has to be the most comprehensive that I have read. It seems so strange to me that the 'Old guard' in Long Beach continue to be successful in keeping this issue from gaining the traction it needs to be dealt with. For all the reasons cited in the article, this City needs to get proactive and work toward reconfiguration of the Breakwater. Returning waves to the beaches of Long Beach will draw countless thousands of visitors annually and in turn will help bolster our local failing economy, not to mention the added property tax revenue that will ge generated by home values going up. This is an issue who's time has come... thanks DW for shedding a bright shining light on this topic.
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  howardx

  11 months ago

  im curious, how does the issue of illegal immigration tie into the breakwater?
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  Jenny Stockdale

  11 months ago

  howardx, would you kindly be a bit more specific? Are you asking if a reconfigured breakwater would enable increased illegal immigration? I really can't link the two issues otherwise. Am I close?
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  ProgressiveMan

  11 months ago

  I'm pretty sure howardx was hinting that the removed stone could be used to construct the wall on the border.
  Let me straighten you people out.
  Progressives do not oppose immigration of any sort. The more the better.
  Progressives think the only real problem in the USA is Republican. All others can be solved when that is solved.
  Progressives believe Republicans are racist, homophobic, hypocritical, greedy, self-centered, stupid, and evil to the extent that Republicans oppose Progressive policy. Labeling Republicans as such is good inasmuch as it may lead to The Masses accepting the labels as fact...thereby reducing the potential for Republican ballot success. In fact, anything that brings Progressives to power is OK. Let the Central Committees work it all out later.
  Anyone who expresses public doubt about the aforesaid should simply report to the Liquidation Chamber immediately.
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  howardx

  11 months ago

  it was
  
  sar·casm ˈsɑrkæzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sahr-kaz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
  –noun 1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
  2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.
  
  see the library thread for more context
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  Andy

  11 months ago

  Howardx: I got it. Thought it was pretty funny. Almost a s funny as "Progressive Man" not getting it and looking like an a@@.
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• 

  howardx

  11 months ago

  hehe thats right.
  
  jenny i dont mean to belittle your article or anything, i enjoyed it. i'm just making fun of a certain breed of LB knuckledragger who seems to have managed to walk on two legs long enough to find their way here from the PT comments section.
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• 

  ProgressiveMan

  11 months ago

  Andy,
  Who doesn't get what?
  
  sar·casm ˈsɑrkæzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sahr-kaz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
  –noun 1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
  2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.
  reply
• 

  ProgressiveMan

  11 months ago

  I've been stumped for some time as to why all the folks wanting more tax revenue and development have not undertaken to get the harbor area enclosed by the breakwater filled in so the oil island personnel could drive to work and as well create several square miles of newly developable land. The folks who want open ocean at our doorstep would have it as well...even if it start as a coastline of steep rock, some innovative barriers could encourage the natural deposition of beachhead over the years. Somewhere within that vast expanse of new property, of course, a site for Acre's next storefront will be situated. All those Belmont Shore folks would have a claim to actually being the Gateway to the New South Beach. This project should be covered by the necessarily relaxed coastal regs being currently promoted. You've just got to think outside the box a little. Save the breakwater and bring surfing back to LB. You're welcome.
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• 

  RKJ

  11 months ago

  ProgressiveMan... Brilliant !!! Now there is the best idea of heard yet!. However, I can't believe that LBC leaderhip would actually ever adopt and execute on an idea as great as this. They seem to capitalize on consistant stupidity instead. If they did "expand" the oceanfront property, I'm sure they'd build subsidized housing with Waterfront Walmart and Denny's.
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  Duke Cullinan

  11 months ago

  Who is the "Old Guard?" I know they're real and they're out there, but who the hell are they? They're very scary - I know that. Because they've been successful in haunting regular clear-thinking Long Beach citizens' heads for a long time. They are the 'voices' who managed to keep Breakwater modification off even the back-burner for decades. They are the same ones who now say how stupid it is to even try because it'll never work and it'll be too expensive.
  
  They're the same ones who somehow make 'us' feel like we're fighting an uphill battle in this. Why is it uphill when, to quote a Press-Telegram Speak Out writer: "Heal the Bay knows less about the breakwater than you do. PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY IN THE SURF, STUPID." (my all-caps added)
  
  People want to play in the surf. Long Beach has an ocean attached to it, kind of. Why is this an uphill battle?
  
  The consensus party is identified. It would be beneficial if the exact people or radical groups opposing were also identified, and we might be able to understand their motivations. They can't *all* be retired doctors living on the Peninsula, can they? What are the underlying motivations for wanting to protect the breakwater? What is driving this sinister force besides money and . . . well, what else is there?
  
  Jennifer Stockdale, this was an excellent latest issue in your continuing coverage of the breakwater rebellion. I urge you to continue, and discover and publish identities of the opposition, and their reasons, their loyalties, their employers, and their benefactors.
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