Santa Ana River Marsh Sediment Removal Project on Display

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, is inviting public comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Santa Ana River Marsh Sediment Removal Project at Newport Beach, California.

USACE proposes to remove approximately 10,000 cubic yards of clean, sandy sediment from approximately 2.8 acres adjacent to the downstream tide gate in the Marsh, and place the material on the adjacent California least tern island.

The proposed sediment removal project, supplemental to the 2013 dredging, would serve the following purposes:

• remove sediment blocking the downstream tide gate;
• beneficially reuse the sediment to improve CA least tern nesting habitat on the tern island;
• increase tidal range and improve circulation of the tidal flow throughout the marsh, which will result in improved water quality and overall habitat quality for wildlife.

This proposed sediment removal scheme is scheduled to occur before April 15, 2017.

The project activities and related impacts have been analyzed as required by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. USACE finds this project to be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the articles and provisions of the Coastal Zone Management Act and the California Coastal Act.

The deadline for submitting the comments on the Draft SEA is Friday March 3, 2017.

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