Table of Contents

Section

ES. Executive Summary

• Introduction
• Purpose and Need (Chapter 1)
• Project History
• Public Involvement Process
• Proposed Projects and Alternatives Considered (Chapter 2)
  • No Action Alternative
  • Alternative 1: Full Bluff Armoring (Preferred Alternative)
  • Alternative 2: Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Parkway Improvements
  • Alternative 3: Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Parkway Improvements
  • Alternative 4: Groins and Notch Infilling
  • Environmentally Preferable/Superior Alternative
• Permit and Review Requirements
• Comparison of Alternatives, Including Impacts and Mitigation
• Affected Environment (Chapters 3 through 14)
• Environmental Consequences (Chapters 3 through 14)
• Cumulative Impacts (Chapter 15)
• Consultation and Coordination (Chapter 16)
• References, List of Preparers, Glossary and Index (Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 20)
• Summary of Potential Significant Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures

1. Purpose of and Need for Action

• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Projects
• 1.3 Purpose and Need
  • 1.3.1 Physical Integrity of the Bluffs
  • 1.3.2 Geologic Background
• 1.4 Project Area
• 1.5 Project History
• 1.6 Use of a Joint NEPA/CEQA Document
• 1.7 Public Involvement Process

2. Proposed Project and Alternatives

• 2.1 Proposed Project Overview
• 2.2 Overview of Alternatives
  • 2.2.1 Alternative 1: Full Bluff Armoring (Preferred Alternative)
  • 2.2.2 Alternative 2: Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Parkway Improvements
  • 2.2.3 Alternative 3: Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Parkway Improvements
  • 2.2.4 Alternative 4: Groins and Notch Infilling
• 2.3 No Action Alternative
• 2.4 Alternatives and Alternative Components Considered but Eliminated
• 2.4.1 Bluff Protection Measures
• 2.4.2 Road and Parkway Improvements
• 2.5 Alternatives Development
• 2.6 Comparison of Alternatives
  • 2.6.1 Alternative 1: Full Bluff Armoring (Preferred Alternative)
  • 2.6.2 Alternative 2: Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Parkway Improvements
  • 2.6.3 Alternative 3: Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Parkway Improvements
  • 2.6.4 Alternative 4: Groins and Notch Infilling
• 2.7 Environmentally Preferable/Environmentally Superior Alternative
• 2.8 Permit and Review Requirements

3A Introduction to Resource Chapters 3 through 14

• 3A-1 Introduction to Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences

3. Land Use

• 3.1 Affected Environment
  • 3.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 3.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 3.1.3 Current Land Use
• 3.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 3.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 3.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 3.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 3.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling(Alternative 4)
  • 3.2.5 No Action Alternative

4. Recreation

• 4.1 Affected Environment
  • 4.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 4.1.2 Regulations and Permitting Requirements
  • 4.1.3 Existing Recreational Uses (See Section 6.1.6 for detailed discussion of waves, wave properties, and recreational waves)
• 4.2 Environmental Consequences (See Section 6.2 for detailed discussion of impacts on Recreational Wave Breaks)
  • 4.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 4.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 4.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 4.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 4.2.5 No Action Alternative

5. Visual Resources

• 5.1 Affected Environment
  • 5.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 5.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 5.1.3 Significant Visual Features, Scenic Corridors, and Public Views/Vistas
  • 5.1.4 Visual Landscape
• 5.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 5.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 5.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 5.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 5.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 5.2.5 No Action Alternative

6. Geological Resources and Coastal Processes

• 6.1 Affected Environment
  • 6.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 6.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 6.1.3 Geologic Setting
  • 6.1.4 Soils
  • 6.1.5 Seismicity
  • 6.1.6 Waves and Currents
  • 6.1.7 Bluff Erosion
  • 6.1.8 Project Area Bluff Conditions
  • 6.1.9 Sand Movement (Sources and Transport)
  • 6.1.10 Beach Formation
  • 6.1.11 Issues That May Affect Bluff Protection Structures
• 6.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 6.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 6.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 6.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 6.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling(Alternative 4)
  • 6.2.5 No Action Alternative

7. Water Resources

• 7.1 Affected Environment
  • 7.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 7.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 7.1.3 Climate
  • 7.1.4 Storm Waves
  • 7.1.5 Surface Water Features and Drainage (Onshore)
  • 7.1.6 Surface Water Quality
  • 7.1.7 Hydrodynamics and Circulation (Monterey Bay and Nearshore)
  • 7.1.8 Groundwater Occurrence and Movement
• 7.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 7.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 7.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 7.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 7.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 7.2.5 No Action Alternative

8. Biological Resources

• 8.1 Affected Environment
  • 8.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 8.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 8.1.3 Biological Setting
  • 8.1.4 Vegetation/Habitat Types
  • 8.1.5 Wildlife Resources
• 8.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 8.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 8.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 8.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 8.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 8.2.5 No Action Alternative

9. Transportation

• 9.1 Transportation
  • 9.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 9.1.2 Regulatory Consideration
  • 9.1.3 Roadways
  • 9.1.4 Sidewalks and Crosswalks
  • 9.1.5 Pathways and Bikeways
  • 9.1.6 Circulation and Access Provisions
  • 9.1.7 Traffic Volumes
  • 9.1.8 Parking Conditions
  • 9.1.9 Transit Service
• 9.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 9.2.1 Alternative 1 (Full Bluff Armoring)
  • 9.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 9.2.3  Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Parkway Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 9.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 9.2.5 No Action Alternative

10. Emergency Services

• 10.1 Affected Environment
  • 10.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 10.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 10.1.3 Existing Emergency Services
• 10.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 10.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 10.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 10.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 10.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 10.2.5 No Action Alternative

11. Cultural and Paleontological Resources

• 11.1 Affected Environment
  • 11.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 11.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 11.1.3 Cultural Resources Overview
  • 11.1.4 Cultural Resources in the Project Area
  • 11.1.5 Paleontology
  • 11.1.6 Project Area Paleontology
• 11.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 11.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 11.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 11.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 11.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 11.2.5 No Action Alternative

12. AirQuality

• 12.1 Affected Environment
  • 12.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 12.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 12.1.3 Existing Air Quality Conditions
  • 12.1.4 Sensitive Receptors
• 12.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 12.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 12.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 12.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 12.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 12.2.5 No Action Alternative

13. Noise

• 13.1 Affected Environment
  • 13.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 13.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 13.1.3 Existing Noise Environment
• 13.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 13.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative1)
  • 13.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 13.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 13.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 13.2.5 No Action Alternative

14. Utilities

• 14.1 Affected Environment
  • 14.1.1 Introduction/Region of Influence
  • 14.1.2 Regulatory Considerations
  • 14.1.3 Existing Utility Infrastructure
• 14.2 Environmental Consequences
  • 14.2.1 Full Bluff Armoring (Alternative 1)
  • 14.2.2 Partial Bluff Armoring with Full Improvements (Alternative 2)
  • 14.2.3 Partial Bluff Armoring with Limited Improvements (Alternative 3)
  • 14.2.4 Groins and Notch Infilling (Alternative 4)
  • 14.2.5 No Action Alternative

15. Other Required Analyses

• 15.1 Introduction

• 15.2 Cumulative Projects and Impact
  • 15.2.1 Cumulative Impact Analysis Methodology
  • 15.2.2 Land Use
  • 15.2.3 Recreation
  • 15.2.4 Visual Resources
  • 15.2.5 Geological Resources and Coastal Process
  • 15.2.6 Water Resources
  • 15.2.7 Biological Resources
  • 15.2.8 Transportation and Safety
  • 15.2.9 Emergency Services
  • 15.2.10 Paleontological and Cultural Resources
  • 15.2.11 Air Quality
  • 15.2.12 Noise
  • 15.2.13 Utilities
• 15.3 Growth-Inducing Impact (CEQA)
• 15.4 Relationship Between Local Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity (NEPA)
• 15.5 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources
• 15.6 Environmental Justice and Environmental Health Safety Risks to Children
  • 15.6.1 Environmental Justice
  • 15.6.2 Environmental Health and Safety Risks to Children

16. Consultation and Coordination

• 16.1 Agencies and Representatives Contacted
• 16.2 Scoping
• 16.3 2003 Draft EIS/EIR
• 16.4 2006 Revised Draft EIS/EIR

17. References

18. Listof Preparers

• 18.1 County of Santa Cruz
• 18.2 US Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District (2003 EIS/EIR only)
• 18.3 Tetra Tech (Contractor)
• 18.4 Subconsultants

19. Glossary

20. Index

21. Introduction to Public Comments and Responses

• 21.1 Introduction to Public Comments and Responses
• 21.2 Index of Comments and Responses
• 21.3 Public Comments and Responses

Pages 21-3 through 21-9

Pages 21-10 through 21-19

Pages 21-20 through 21-29

Pages 21-30 through 21-39

Pages 21-40 through 21-49

Pages 21-50 through 21-59

Pages 21-60 through 21-69

Pages 21-70 through 21-79

Pages 21-80 through 21-89

Pages 21-90 through 21-103

Appendices

Appendix

A Photo http://www.sccoplanning.com/pdf/env/eirecliffseawall/APPendix

B Public Involvement

C Public Scoping Letters

D Traffic Counts

E Biological Resources

F Parkway Maps

G Coastal Bluff Evaluation

Listof Figures

Figure

ES-1.......50-Year Summary

1-1.......Regional Location Map

1-2.......Projected Erosion Rates

1-3.......Project Area

2-1a.....Project Overview

2-1b.....Shoreline Change Rates

2-2.......Existing Traffic Volumes in Vicinity of East Cliff Drive

2-3.......Expected Traffic Volumes Following Reversal of One-way Traffic

2-4.......Soil Nail Wall Construction

2-5.......MSE Reinforcement

2-6.......Soil Nail Assembly

2-7.......Soil Nail Construction Method

2-8.......Map Legend for http://www.sccoplanning.com/pdf/env/eirecliffseawall/Figures 2-9a-c

2-9a.....Project Site Map-Sheet 1

2-9b.....Project Site Map-Sheet 2

2-9c.....Project Site Map-Sheet 3

2-10.....Representative Cross Section of Bluff Protection Structure and ParkwayImprovements

2-11.....Stairway Beach Access

5-1a.....Existing Conditions-Bluff View

5-1b.....Existing Conditions-Ocean View

5-2a.....Alternative 1 Visual Simulation-Bluff View

5-2b.....Alternative 1 Visual Simulation-Ocean View

5-3a.....Alternative 2 Visual Simulation-Bluff View

5-3b.....Alternative 2 Visual Simulation-Ocean View

5-4a.....Alternative 3 Visual Simulation-Bluff View

5-4b.....Alternative 3 Visual Simulation-Ocean View

5-5a.....Alternative 4 Visual Simulation-Bluff View

5-5b.....Alternative 4 Visual Simulation-Ocean View

6-1.......Alternative 1 Erosion Estimates

6-2.......Alternative 2 Erosion Estimates

6-3.......Alternative 3 Erosion Estimates

6-4.......Alternative 4 Erosion Estimates

6-5.......No Action Time Sequence of Erosion

Table

ES-1 .... Stairway Locations

ES-2 .... Summary of Project Alternatives

ES-3 ....East Cliff Drive Bluff Protection and Parkway Project Permit and Approval Requirements

ES-4 .... Summary of Significant Impacts from Project Alternatives

ES-5 .... Summary of Potential Significant Impacts and Mitigations

2-1 ...... Projected Increases in Residential Traffic Under One-Way Reversal

2-2 ...... Summary of Project Alternatives

2-3 ...... Stairway Locations

2-4 ...... Proposed Drainage Improvements

2-5 ......East Cliff Drive Bluff Protection and Parkway Project Permit and Approval Requirements

8-1 ......East Cliff Drive Project Area Observed Species List

8-2 ...... Likelihood of Occurrence of Santa Cruz County’s Special Status Plants in the Project ROI

8-3 ...... MBTA and MMPA Species Potentially occurring within the ROI

8-4 ...... Likelihood of Occurrence of Special Status Wildlife Species in the Project ROI

9-1 ...... Peak Hour East Cliff Drive Traffic Volumes, November2005

9-2 ...... Peak Hour Pedestrian and Bicycle Volumes, November 2005

12-1 .... Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards

12-2 .... Project-Related Vehicle Emissions and Thresholds of Significance

13-1 .... Typical Construction Site Noise Levels

15-1 .... Past, Present, and Future Armoring Projects in Santa Cruz County