Protect the California Coast from Pacifica Seawall Plan

841

Goal: 900

The City of Pacifica’s plan for addressing sea level rise includes damaging policies that would wall off the coast and make erosion worse. The plan would significantly expand the use of coastal armoring, in this case seawalls, to protect private development at the expense of our beaches, bluffs and waves, while prohibiting proactive solutions like managed retreat. It also allows seawalls and development to remain in hazardous locations into perpetuity. (see their plan here)

The City’s plan could be devastating for popular surf and recreational beaches such as Linda Mar, Rockaway and Sharp Park Beach because nearby development may become eligible for shoreline armoring. By failing to consider alternatives, it also dooms the beaches fronting Beach Boulevard, Esplanade and Palmetto to permanently drown as seas rise.

We need to send a strong message to the Coastal Commission and the City that this is not an acceptable approach to addressing sea level rise and coastal erosion in Pacifica or elsewhere in California. If this plan passes, it will set a dangerous precedent that could threaten beaches across the entire state of California.

With each new report that comes out, we hear that our seas are rising faster than expected. The decisions we make today will determine what beaches and waves we save across the state.

Please sign this petition today and demand a sea level rise plan that protects our coast - not just private property.

The seas are rising and so are we!

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Dear [recipient position will go here] [recipient name will go here],

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I am writing to express my opposition to the City of Pacifica’s Land Use Plan update, particularly its proposed coastal hazard policies. The City should pursue coastal planning solutions that address the long-term impacts of sea level rise in a manner protective of public resources - our beaches, bluffs and waves. More effective alternatives consistent with California Coastal Commission recommendations and the Coastal Act include strategic relocation, consideration of living shoreline options and avoidance of hard armoring. Proactive planning is essential for avoiding costly disasters such as the condemned blufftop apartment building on Esplanade Ave due to storm damage and bluff erosion.

As a local beachgoer, I support long-term solutions that benefit my right to beach access, protect coastal resources and habitats and preserve the coast from rising seas as required within the California Coastal Act. The City’s plan will erode our beaches over time and make access impossible. The City’s plan could be devastating for popular surf and recreational beaches such as Linda Mar, Rockaway and Sharp Park Beach. By failing to consider alternatives, it also dooms the beaches fronting Beach Boulevard, Esplanade and Palmetto to permanently drown as seas rise.

One third of the City’s six miles of coast are already armored. More coastal armoring will fundamentally alter our remaining waves and beaches by exacerbating beach erosion and eventually drowning our beaches and waves.

Please reject the City’s plan and approve the entirety of Coastal Commission staff’s suggested modifications to protect our public resources and preserve our precious coast.

Sincerely,
[your name will go here]
[your email address will go here] [your location will go here]

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