Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell’s office has just announced that the breakwater study commissioned by the City Council last summer is complete and will be presented to the Council next Monday. Full press release below:
Breakwater Study Results to be Unveiled Before Long Beach City Council
Future of Breakwater Structure To Be Discussed
LONG BEACH – The much-anticipated study results regarding the future of the Long Beach breakwater will be revealed during a special presentation to the City Council and the public Monday night at City Hall.
The Long Beach breakwater is one of three offshore barriers that shield the Long Beach shoreline from wave activity. Its original purpose was to safeguard the former Long Beach Naval Base, which closed in 1994. Residents, surfers and environmentalists contend that removal or reconfiguration of the breakwater will improve water quality and bring back waves to the beaches of Long Beach. The future of the breakwater and its year-long study has generated much regional and national interest.
“The goal of the study is to make an informed decision as to how best to restore the shore in Long Beach,” said Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell. “On any 85-degree day, our beach remains largely unvisited.”
O’Donnell, who’s wife Jennifer is a surfer, grew up learning to swim and sail in the waters of Long Beach and is a strong advocate for increased water quality and recreational opportunities. He sees this as an environmental and economic opportunity to better Long Beach.
With many residents, environmentalists and surfers wondering what impacts reconfiguring the breakwater will have on our beaches, the results of the study conducted by Moffatt & Nichol will serve to answer many questions about the future of Long Beach’s coastline. The report will soon be made available to the public through the City Manager’s office (link below). Members of the public are encouraged to attend this free study session on Monday, July 27 at 5:00 p.m.
http://www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/ga/breakwater/