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Mineral Resources Management Division — Program and Project Updates

Coastal Hazards Removal Program
Updated: November 9, 2001

Funding has been approved for the California State Lands Commission's (CSLC) proposal to remove deteriorated coastal structures on state sovereign lands that have become hazardous to the public. An inventory conducted in 1986 identified over 400 hazards on lands within the commission's jurisdiction. Several of those hazards were previously identified as high risk and they have since been removed. CSLC plans to award the contract in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2002. Then CSLC will have till June 30, 2004 to accomplish removal of as many hazards as possible. The CSLC has documented that a large number of these hazards are located along the Santa Barbara/ Ventura Coast. Many of these hazards are remnants of past oil and gas development while others are the result of development along the coastline. The exposure of these hazards is tide and sea state dependent. Also, all previously identified hazards may not get exposed simultaneously. Thus, this work may be completed in stages. The actual number of hazards removed may vary significantly from the number of known hazards. Subject to availability, $931,000 has been approved for removal of these hazards. The CSLC staff also surveyed a 20-mile stretch of the Sacramento River to determine the extent of hazardous conditions in and about the city of Sacramento. An inventory of these hazards revealed a variety of items from old pilings to sunken vessels, vehicles and household appliances. Subject to availability, $250,000 has been approved for removal of these hazards. The Mineral Resources Management Division (MRMD) in Long Beach has the responsibility to identify and prioritize the hazards along Santa Barbara/Ventura Coastline based on risk exposure to the public. Environmental Planning and Management (EPM) group in Sacramento office will manage the program for Sacramento River Hazards.