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May 8, 2008 -

Coronado Homeowners Settle Case

Two property owners in Coronado who removed rocks and built a wall to protect their beach-front homes have settled Federal and State complaints for $300,000 in penalties.  According to the Union-Tribune article:

The homeowners will have to replace the rocks, remove part of the wall that encroaches on state property and pay a $250,000 fine and $25,000 for Port of San Diego staff time.

The property owners, who fought local, state and federal agencies to save the sandy beach they uncovered two years ago, say they are relieved the fight is over.

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May 3, 2008 -

Beaches Get Expensive

State budget difficulties are reportedly behind the proposal to end free parking at Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad.  According to the North County Times, the Coastal Commission is scheduled to vote on a proposed $8 parking fee this week.

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April 28, 2008 -

Just Distracted

Not that my interest in coastal access has lagged in the slightest, and the new puppy is as big a fan of dog beaches as any dog I know, but election issues and posts for KPBS, not to mention actually practicing law and earning a living, have been dominating my online time.

Expect more here soon though as California’s June election with two, count-em two, propositions on Eminent Domain get closer and California’s budget crisis begins to actually impact beach use and safety.  That and my various injuries heal enough to let me back in the water.

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March 17, 2008 -

Lifeguard Tower Red-Tagged

Interesting that as things heat up again over the use of the Children’s Pool in La Jolla as a seal refuge, the lifeguard tower there gets red-tagged due to the city’s ongoing failure to maintain its property.

The building might be unsafe, but the people in it have too often seemed to be the only one’s in the area capable of mature and reasoned thought. Who will provide adult supervision for the children now?

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March 8, 2008 -

Alcohol ban copycats

To avoid extra work from responsible adults trying to avoid San Diego’s alcohol ban, the state beach at Torrey Pines is instituting a one-year trial ban of their own.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune article reporting on the new prohibition, only three beaches in San Diego county will continue to allow alcohol consumption: “Del Mar, Solana Beach and the Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado.”

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February 16, 2008 -

Access for Profit

Nice little article in the San Diego Union-Tribune on Black’s Beach new-found popularity with film makers and photographers. Also interesting is UC San Diego’s role in controlling the only road down to the isolated stretch of sand.

The University of California San Diego isn’t exactly swimming in dough from the location fees it charges to use the road, but it is making money. Pat JaCoby, the point person at UCSD for such requests, said the campus collected more than $18,000 last fiscal year from photo shoots and film productions.

The road to Black’s isn’t UCSD’s only moneymaker. Whether it’s the steps of UCSD’s Geisel Library or a physics science lab, camera crews favor San Diego’s near-perfect weather and the relative ease of shooting here.

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February 7, 2008 -

Seadrift Access Update

S.F. Gate has an update reporting the Douglas Rigg’s lawsuit for access to the Seadrift area of Stinson Beach has been settled, with Rigg’s right to use the beach conceded by the Homeowner’s Association. While the settlement reportedly addresses only Riggs’ claim and not public access in general, though the settlement’s use as precedent should help clarify the access issues on this part of Stinson Beach. Parts of the settlement are reportedly confidential.

Previously: Seadrift: NoCal’s Malibu?

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New Lifeguard Station in Coronado

An initiative the would have blocked construction of a proposed lifeguard station along Ocean Boulevard in Coronado has failed to pass, garnering only 47% of the vote. The planned 2,574-square-foot building will contain an office, showers, lockers and lifeguard vehicles and according to the San Diego Union-Tribune article, the construction is planned to start by April.

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February 5, 2008 -

Lifeguards On The Ballot

Good post by Candace at Citizen Voices on election initiatives concerning a permanent lifeguard facility at Coronado.

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January 28, 2008 -

More, elsewhere

In addition to Beachlaw and my personal site, from now through November I’m also going to be writing at KPBS’ Citizen Voices. Citizen Voices is a group blog, where I will be one of six writers covering politics during the current election cycle. Mention will certainly be made here when issues of coastal access and development come up there, and I hope that readers interested in some unique San Diego perspectives on the current election will visit, read and comment at KPBS’ site.

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Interesting Sites

70 Percent Good site focusing on reporting and documenting break conditions for waveriders
Coastal Marine Resource Center Non-profit from the New York-New Jersey Harbor Bight
Free PB Opposition to additional beach regulations at San Diego’s Pacific Beach
Race for the Oceans A forum for swimmers and swimming fans to dive in to ocean conservation.
Surfrider Foundation Activities and campaigns for clean water, beach access, beach preservation and protecting special places.
Wave Ride Net Surfing and surf spots