from earlier: Wed, Dec. 22, 2004
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/10475791.htm?1c
GOLETA, Calif. (AP) - Two sides in the fight against Goleta Beach erosion have drawn a line in the sand.
On one side are those who favor artificial barriers to stave off the gnawing sea. The other side supports "managed retreat," in which structures, underground utilities and grass are moved or removed so the shoreline can recede as nature dictates.
Beachside Bar Cafe owner Dave Hardy has had a front row seat to winter storms for 20 years.
"The community doesn't understand how close it is to being washed away," he said.
Goleta Beach is the most popular of 23 parks managed by Santa Barbara County. It already has erosion-controlling barriers along the eastern flank and rock barriers in the west.
In October 2003, crews widened the beach by importing sand in an experimental, $2 million attempt to reduce erosion. The "beach nourishment" program involved moving nearly 80,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from the Santa Barbara waterfront.
"We had one set of funding," said Kevin Ready, executive director of Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment. "We'd gladly do it more often. That doesn't come around every year."
Recently, an 18-member county advisory group convened by Supervisor Susan Rose failed to reach a decision on the erosion problem. The group is expected to meet against in February.
"Both sides have really valid concerns," Rose assistant Rachel Couch said. "This park is really important to people. That is where everyone can agree."
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"The sea was angry that day, my friends...like an old man sending back soup in a deli."