Last Updated: 1/2/2003

Poche Beach Clean Beach Initiative Project [Contact – Richard Haimann 714-834-4786]
PROJECT: The purpose of the project is to reduce bacterial loading and ponding at Poche Beach which has resulted in numerous beach postings. A project is proposed in which abandoned urban runoff will be collected from the M01 stormwater channel near the outlet treated in a portable modular treatment system to remove bacteria and released at Poche Beach. Additionally the project will include beach sand shaping activities to reduce the depth of the scour pond in front of the M01 outlet.
STATUS:
Poche Beach Status
Date Complete	Item
01/02/02	County of Orange sends contract sent to SWRCB for Poche Beach project.
01/02/02	County of Orange submits grant application to California Integrated Waste Management Board for funds for Poche Beach treatment system project and upstream source investigation.
12/31/02	E-mail from California Coastal Commission. Staff in Long Beach unable to make a determination if Coastal Commission or City of Dana Point will have coastal development permit jurisdiction. Staff requested that County send a request to Coastal Commission mapping division to determine Jurisdiction. Staff in Long Beach also stated that there is concern that the current planned system will block ocean view from angle on coast highway and that alternatives to prevent view blockage need to be considered. Staff also expressed concern that aesthetics of fencing with green-colored (“camouflage”) material would be unacceptable and that other aesthetic items such as a structure should be considered. Finally staff expressed concern that the tidal barrier is a coastal protection device, which is highly discouraged by Coastal Commission and that other alternatives to project should be considered (e.g. not filling in scour pond with sand). County to evaluate concerns of Coastal Commission and have determination of jurisdiction made.
12/31/02	E-mail from RWQCB. Additional information requested to process 401 certification. RWQCB requests that some mitigation be proposed to mitigate the impacts of the project. RWQCB in a telephone conversation states that such mitigation can potentially be trash pick-up, autumn removal of tidal barrier and shaping of sand, and practice of noting the presence of sensitive species prior to maintenance activities. RWQCB also states that some educational signage could potentially be used as mitigation.
12/23/02	Biological survey scoping begun. This is needed as part of the coastal development permit process with the California Coastal Commission. This will assess what plants and animals use the Scour Pond and project area as habitat, and what mitigation measures are needed, if any. This is anticipated to be completed in January 2003.
12/23/02	Wave run-up study started. This is needed as part of the coastal development permit process with the California Coastal Commission. This will evaluate the impacts of wave action on any of the project components, and what mitigation measures are needed to protect project components. To be completed by end of January 2003.
12/18/02	USEPA publishes Finding of No Significant Difference (FONSI) and environmental assessment for public review. Public review period ends January 31, 2003. Documents are on the web at: http://www.haimann.com/poche/Poche_Beach_Public_Notice.pdf http://www.haimann.com/poche/Poche_Beach_FONSI.pdf http://www.haimann.com/poche/poche_beach_ea.pdf
12/18/20	City of San Clemente submits final grant application to USEPA for appropriations to fund Poche Beach and other projects.
12/18/02	City of San Clemente City Council approves agreement between County and City
12/18/02	County meets with University of California Santa Barbara regarding the University conducting an investigation of the upstream watershed to help gather information for upstream source control measures.
12/18/02	County meets with Dan Carlson and Dave Cortens who, on behalf of the Beach Road residents, offer to assist with gaining further support for the project from agencies, the public, and other stakeholders.
12/17/02	Board of Supervisors approves CEQA Notice of Determination of Mitigated Negative Declaration. Board of Supervisors approves agreement with City of San Clemente in which City will provide $320,000 for the project. Board of Supervisors passes resolution to apply for California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) grant for additional funding for the project plus upstream watershed investigation.
12/11/02	Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is finalizing permit conditions for the Section 10 and 404 permit. Public notice of the permit is expected to be sent shortly. Primary permit condition to finalize is the condition regarding biological monitoring during scour pond maintenance activities. Current proposed permit condition is for the County park ranger responsible for the beach to prepare a preliminary report prior to maintenance activities regarding whether or not any listed species have been observed in the vicinity of the work. If so, then a biological monitor would be required during maintenance activities. If not, then maintenance activities can take place without a biological monitor.
12/11/02	Responses to comments completed and sent to commenters. Commenters included City of Dana Point, Surfriders Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caltrans, and South Coast Water District. Responses include mitigation measures that are made a part of the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The mitigation measures have been incorporated in the design.
12/10/02	USEPA is ready to send public notice of the Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI). They are awaiting submittal of grant application from City of San Clemente. City is proceeding with grant application and anticipates submitting the application shortly.
12/4/02	Army Corps of Engineers completes draft permit for public review.
12/2/02	County of Orange met with California Coastal Commission (CCC). CCC tentatively states that the scour pond elimination portion of the project may be a problem for the CCC due to the coastal act.
11/29/02	CEQA public comment period closed.
11/25/02	California Coastal Commission assigns staff member Karl Schwing to process permit and review CEQA.
11/18/02	Tetra Tech completes 90 percent design.
11/6/02	California Coastal Commission states tentatively they will have jurisdiction over the coastal development permit for the project.
11/5/02	CEQA Public comment period re-opened till November 29, 2002.
10/28/02	CEQA Public comment period closed. Comments received from South Coast Water District, City of Dana Point, and Caltrans.
10/21/02	Public Meeting held at Shorecliff’s Poche Beach Club House.
9/26/02	CEQA Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) Published. Public comment period ends October 28, 2002. IS/MND on County web site at: http://www.ocwatershed.com/watersheds/pdfs/ndsupinfopoche_04.pdf.
9/26/02	Public meeting to be rescheduled for late October.
9/25/02	CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration to be sent for public comment 9/26/02
9/17/02	Public meeting on hold. Tentative date September 30 5-7 PM. Awaiting word from City of San Clemente.
9/10/02	County review of 60% design drawings complete. Comments sent to A/E.
9/3/02	Public Meeting Scheduled for 10/2/02 to present the project. Location to be determined.
8/27/02	County received draft 60% design drawings from A/E.
8/21/02	Project Schedule Posted on web site: http://www.ocwatershed.com/watersheds/pdfs/Poche_Beach_Project_Implementation_Schedule.pdf
8/20/02	County Environmental Planning begins CEQA Review.
8/14/02	County of Orange provides responses/answers to SCRRA regarding details on siting on railroad property.
8/09/02	SCRRA submits questions to County of Orange regarding details on siting on railroad property.
8/09/02	13225 directive initial report submitted not San Diego RWQCB.
8/05/02	San Diego RWQCB grants extension of 13225 directive initial report to August 9, 2002. Report to be completed and submitted to RWQCB August 9 that discusses BMPs for M01 watershed.
8/05/02	County, City of Dana Point, City of San Clemente, OCTA, SCRRA met to discuss location of treatment system. OCTA and SCRRA concurred that railroad property may be appropriate location. Some questions regarding operations and maintenance activities to be answered by County to Railroad. License Agreement to move forward.
7/25/02	Meeting with railroad scheduled for August 5, 2002 to resolve siting issues.
7/8/02	Meeting with City of San Clemente. City expressed their commitment to the project. City stated they did not have $500K to contribute. County committed to review the budget and develop partnering agreement with City to move forward with project.
7/3/02	San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (SDRWQCB) issued a directive to City of San Clemente and County of Orange to initiate monitoring and BMP implementation upstream in Poche Creek watershed. SDWRQCB states they will tentatively approve Poche Beach project under MS4 NPDES permit without requiring separate NPDES permit.
7/1/02	Draft NEPA EA is complete and ready to be taken over by City of San Clemente. Meeting scheduled with City of San Clemente 7/8/02 to discuss funding requirements for project. City may not be willing to spend entire $500K grant on Poche Beach project.
6/28/02	No comments on draft CEQA documents from resource agencies. CEQA is waiting for siting decision prior to its completion and submittal to other stakeholders and County planning department for review and processing.
6/28/02	Meeting with Southern California Regional Rail Authority at site to evaluate location determine license agreement conditions. Design has been started. The SCRRA was unconvinced that the railroad easement was the optimal location for the treatment plant. County proceeding with a cost/benefit analysis of various treatment plant sites. Analysis to be complete July 19. Further discussions with the railroad will ensue.
6/14/02	Draft proposed project plan and initial study (CEQA) presented in a meeting with the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control board, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Fish and Game, South Orange County Water Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Dana Point, and City of San Clemente. CEQA review comments were requested by June 28, 2002.
5/9/02	Draft proposed project plan and initial study (CEQA) presented in a meeting with the Orange County Transportation Authority, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, City of Dana Point, and City of San Clemente. Comments from these agencies to be provided by 5/23/02 to County
4/22/02	Clean Beaches Initiative funding application submitted.
4/9/02	County staff met with stakeholders, Shorecliff HOA, on April 9, 2002 and received their input for the planning process.
3/12/02	Board of Supervisors approves A/E agreement with Tetra Tech
2/20/02	Second planning meeting held with City of San Clemente, SOCWA, and Board of Supervisors Fifth District representative. SWRCB Rep, Bruce Locken visited project site.
2/02/02	County O&M prepares Ocean Outlet Maintenance Plan in order to Obtain a Regional General Permit from the Army Corps of Engineers so that sand can be “moved” or shaped at various Ocean outlets including Poche (M01).
11/01/01	Kick-off planning meeting held with City of San Clemente and SOCWA