The Environmental Quality Laboratory at Caltech and the Shore
Processes Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have jointly
undertaken a study of regional sediment balance problems in coastal
southern California (see map in Figure 1). The overall objective in
this study is to define specific alternatives in sediment management that
may be implemented to alleviate a) existing sediment imbalance problems
(e.g. inland debris disposal, local shoreline erosion) and b) probable
future problems that have not yet manifested themselves. These
alternatives will be identified through a consideration of economic,
legal, and institutional issues as well as an analysis of governing
physical processes and engineering constraints.
The first part of this study (Phase I), which is currently under
way, involves a compilation and analysis of all available data in
an effort to obtain an accurate definition of the inland/coastal
regional sediment balance under natural conditions, and specific
quantitative effects man-made controls have on the overall natural process.
During FY77, substantial progress was made at EQL and SPL in
achieving the objectives of the initial Planning and Assessment Phase
of the CIT/SIO Sediment Management Project. Financial support came
from Los Angeles County, U.S. Geological Survey, Orange County,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and discretionary funding provided by
a grant from the Ford Foundation. The current timetable for completion
of this phase is Fall 1978.
This report briefly describes the project status, including
general administration, special activities, and research work as of
January 1978