Doheny Beach in Dana Point: Big Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes In The Next Decade

Over the next 10 years, Doheny State Beach (DSB) and its immediate surroundings will be transformed, for many from the public not readily recognizable. I’m pretty sure that SOC residents and regional visitors, let alone those who travel to or through this area, are not aware to what extent it’ll be different. Certainly main stream media (MSM) haven’t connected the dots, which is why I’m getting the word out here.

Massive projects are being proposed, ones that will not just be years in duration to implement (demolish, install and/or re-construct), but disrupt, dislocate and in some instances require significant vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian commuter re-routing. The agencies feel that they’re necessary, plus unfortunately here in America we don’t build things to last longer than 50 years or so max.

No doubt they won’t be done simultaneously, but that will prolong, protract the logistical processes. Frankly, I believe that any independent, disinterested 3rd party professional would agree that there should be a Master EIR to encompass, to include such large-scale development/redevelopment.

I’ll provide 4 such massive Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) that in isolation might not have significant, overwhelming adverse impacts, but definitely together have them, and in my mind, unaddressed yet mandatory mitigation potential. The traffic circulation issue impacts alone need more scrutiny.

• The controversial Metrolink/OCTA/Amtrak Surfliner siding project which is being described by its supporters as a way to reduce delays, increase safety and provide more reliable service. Called the “Serra Siding Extension Project (SSEP),” it’ll entail the installation of 1.2 miles of a parallel track, thus allowing northbound and southbound trains to pass each other and letting the opposite direction train pass uninhibited and expeditiously.
• The antiquated railroad bridge that southbound PCH vehicles, bikers and pedestrians go under, literally in the middle of the SSEP? As of today, the Draft EIR for the SSEP isn’t available, and as it entails reconstruction of the bridge, then it too should be included due to its proximity to a coastal wetlands/lagoon/estuary and receiving waters. Scroll up to my photo gallery and look at both the underpass and aerial map.

The 1.2 miles is calculated from Palisades/Beach Road in a westerly direction, then a soft right 90° bending around and proceeding northly up to ≈Victoria Boulevard (opposite Del Obispo Park). The railroad bridge is part of that soft 90 redevelopment. The proximity of this huge project to the estuarine zone should force proffered mitigation and protection measures.

• OC Flood Control, via OC Public Works (OCPW), has short-listed 2 enormous undertakings as CIPs: (1) Rebuilding the PCH Bridge at DSB in Dana Point, which functions as a service road and east/west connection between the daytime use and overnight campsite, downcoast (southeast) from the estuary. Many forget that the San Juan Creek (SJC) mainstem axis flows basically north/south beginning in San Juan Capistrano, hence the uninformed often use the wrong compass references. (2) SJC above the PCH Bridge.

The 2 projects are shown in the photo gallery as well, including estimated costs in today’s dollars. Caveat: How often do you see public works projects come in on time and budget, hmmmm? Or seen agencies attempt projects that aren't coordinated or synchronized with the others?

Regardless, as the upstream portion is in what many analysts like the Chambers Group Inc. consider part of the estuarine zone, it’ll need mitigation. Moreover, OCPW notes hardened drop structures in the soft-bottomed streambed.

Drop structures (grade control devices) can be impediments to upstream aquatic passage but can stabilize and attenuate (diminish) erosive forces from peak rainy event damages. In a sense, they reduce scouring, the stripping away of positive streambed elements.

Upside too is that Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels are increased, and cold water, anadromous species like federally-listed endangered Southern Steelhead Trout (who go from fresh-salt, salt-fresh water) thrive in high DO environs. The tumbling and swirling will cool the water as well, so high DO + lower water temps, which native riparian plant and foraging fauna species benefit from.

The warmer the water, the more readily it “gives up” DO, and also increases evaporation rates, thus robbing the lagoon (terminus of the estuarine zone, below the PCH bridge) of freshwater recharging to balance the seawater incursions.

The PCH Bridge, which in the photo gallery you’ll note has been humorously confused by search engines as the Beach Road Bridge, has been a candidate for rebuilding since I checked into the enviro-world, founded my group, CLEAN WATER NOW, back in 1998.

It’s not only old and ready for serious rehab, but the pilings or footings weren’t configured (shaped or positioned) in anticipation of present flood stressors or erosion control guidelines. Inland development (increased impervious, less permeable acreage) has increased peak flows, OCPW alleges the new configuration of both the channel and bridge will bring SJC’s capacity up to a 100-year flood standard.

• The Doheny Ocean Desalination Project by South Coast Water District (DODP---SCWD) will require shutting down the overnight campgrounds for ≈18 months or so. The installation of their slant wells will vary due to factors that as I write, aren’t completely known or for that matter 100% foreseeable.

Furthermore, look at aerial views: How will SCWD get to and from the slant wells during construction in the campgrounds if the PCH Bridge is unusable? What about post-well installations, for ongoing Operation & Maintenance? Is the right hand even aware of what the left is doing? Does it care or take the other's needs into consideration?

As one of my award-winning engineer mentors always warns, usually cautions “That depends.” These 4-5 downcoast (southeast of the lagoon) well arrays are also in the photo gallery, I included the aerial view of what the Do Ho Desal would look like at full buildout to inform laypersons. The 4-5 for the 3-4 million gallon/day (mgd) range of production, the total of ≈12 for a projected 10-12 mgd of production.
NOTE: Ocean desalination can be tricky, so although most proponents allege that for every 2 gallons of seawater drafted they produce 1 gallon of potable water, I’m inclined towards a 45% reclamation rate, 55% highly concentrated briny and waste discharge after filtration and treatment.
DSB is purportedly around 35,000 parts per million (ppm---3.5%) of chlorides, the briny waste 2-2.5 times that concentration. Now maybe you know in part why enviro-protectionists get alarmed about such high briny waste concentrations being discharged back into the ocean after treatment.

Even implemented sequentially, there’s a case to be made that together, this Gang of Four will breach California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines which prohibit such piecemeal filings and construction unless the Master EIR alternative, is successfully processed. They should be reviewed en masse, in toto, not as isolated development/re-development.

These sequential/piecemeal violations are redundant to the federal National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), as states can impose stricter but not less stringent guidelines and regulations.

If a federal agency is the lead and/or federal funding is involving, many projects have both NEPA and sub-set CEQA prescriptions. They must consider both regarding proposed activities prior to dispositive (decision-making) approvals.

Enviro or community-based NGOs that litigate, if awakened, could prolong things until a court determines if CEQA infractions are going to take place. Hopefully, this column will find such a protectionist audience, sooner the better, let’s get the public informed: Especially if you live, work, commute through or recreationally use this area, you’ll be impacted.

• A small project that differs from those REALLY BIG ones, the San Juan Creek Estuary Restoration Project (SJCERP) at DSB, will be affected by these projects to one extent or another if a serious effort is eventually made to rehabilitate not just the lagoon but half-mile long estuarine zone.

According to “The Lower San Juan Creek & Seasonal Lagoon Habitat Assessment,” delivered by consultants Chambers Group Inc. in July of 2016, the estuarine zone fluctuates not only over the course of a given year but also over longer study durations. This assessment was funded by SCWD and Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).

Some call it a lagoon, or tidal wetlands, according to records, 100 years ago it was 10 times its current size. Up until ≈ 1970, the estuary was inhabited by the now endangered Tidewater Goby (which only populates mixed salt and freshwater zones). Back then it was a transitional or migratory section of San Juan Creek that featured another endangered species, the previously mentioned anadromous Southern Steelhead Trout (SST).

The Goby has been extirpated, not found in the estuarine or lagoon since the early 70s. The SST is on shaky ground, although there have been alleged “sightings” in the lower reaches, yet no scientifically substantiated or lab identified (via fin clippings) SST in over 15 years.

Even during La Niña or drought cycles, the estuarine can still extend up ½ mile or so from the lagoon. During seasons in which they’re greater rainy events, usually in those famous El Niños, the identified estuarine zone extends all of the way up to Stonehill Drive (1 mile upstream).

• Boldly launched at the March 9, 2022, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board hearing in Mission Viejo by visionary protectionist and SOC watchdog CLEAN WATER NOW, the SJCERP working group was formed late in 2022 and has been modestly seed-funded by SCWD.

If you scroll through the photos provided above, you can see the jetties being built in the late 60s, followed by the further dredging and construction of Dana Point Harbor’s commercial infrastructure at that time. These jetties eventually changed many of DSB’s dynamics, and obviously the estuarine irrevocably, irreversibly altered.

A major goal and objective for the SJCERP will culminate in a stakeholder Workshop tentatively scheduled for June 2023. The purpose will be to determine to what extent and degree bio-functionality plus re-population of native flora and fauna may be realistically returned.

Hopefully, a narrative that results in an updated assessment (most data, surveys, etc. are 10 years old or more) will emerge. The Workshop, therefore, is only intended as exploratory, to “set the stage” for a more robust, subsequent investigation.

By functionality, the SJCERP Workshop congress findings should include: What’s achievable, i.e., both logistically possible and economically feasible regarding this lowest reach and dispersion area’s integrity. Updated focus upon monitoring and management regarding its unique physical, chemical and biological resources, including their beneficial designated uses as determined by public trust and regulatory agencies.

Stay tuned, I’ll be posting subsequent columns about the SJCERP working group’s progress, including messaging and more definitive Workshop details. Hopefully held at a convenient time, date, etc., including a hybrid venue which avails itself of both in-person and remote participation.

Roger E. Bütow is the Founder and Executive Director of Clean Water Now (Established in 1998).

Professionally, he’s a Land Use & Regulatory Compliance Consultant plus provides Environmental & Construction Advisory Services

Linkedin CV: https://www.linkedin.com

Direct Landline: (949) 715.1912 (VM after 6 rings/No TM)

Cell: (949) 280.2225 (VM/TM)

Email: roger@clean-water-now.org