TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and the City of Long Beach Harbor Department, with regard to placement of dredge material from the Los Angeles River Estuary into Slip 1 in the Middle Harbor. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is being requested for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Harbor Department (Harbor) to place dredge sediments from the Los Angeles River Estuary (River) into Slip 1 in the Middle Harbor. The Los Angeles River sends tens of thousands of cubic yards of sediment down river each year. Some sediment settles in the soft bottom portion of the river south of Willow Street, while some sediment continues in suspension out into San Pedro Bay. However, much of it settles in the estuary, in the area generally known as Queensway Bay, where a Federal channel has been established. This sediment fills in the channel utilized by recreational and commercial boat operations. Periodic dredging is thus necessary to keep-the channel usable.
The maintenance of the River is the responsibility of the federal government, through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). PRM is the local sponsor for the ACE dredging, which includes responsibility for locating a dredge spoil disposal site.
Maintenance dredging of the channel should be completed every three to five years, but has not been performed since 1999/2000.
The River shoaled during the heavy winter storms of January 2005, closing it to navigation for several months. It was reopened by temporary measures that allow only minimal operations. The channel contains unsuitable sediments, which limit where the dredge material can be placed. Placement of the material in a confined disposal facility, such as the middle of a port slip-fill, is a preferred disposal option by the regulatory agencie...
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