State approves plans for Huntington Harbour repairs

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON HARBOUR -- The high cost of waterfront living is all too

clear to residents whose homes need expensive repairs due to decades of

ocean exposure.

The California Coastal Commission approved plans last week to begin

repairs in upcoming months on sea walls and timber piles supporting 74

homes on Trinidad Island, and one home on Humboldt Island.

A similar project spanning about 40 Humboldt Island homes was approved

by the commission in December.

Trinidad and Humboldt islands are artificial islands that were built

in the 1960s. They contain single-family homes for the most part.

Concrete bulkheads reinforced by wooden timbers, protect the islands from

erosion and support waterfront homes running along the outside of both

developments.

Over the last 30 or 40 years, tidal action, scouring and small fish

have taken their toll on the bulkheads.

Project manager and engineer Fernando Pages, of Pasadena-based Tetra

Tech, Inc., said that in addition to tidal wear and tear, the burrowing

action of the tote of midshipman’s fish have led to some sea wall

failures.

“The fish burrow underneath the sea wall structure, exposing the

supporting timber piles which weren’t treated for water protection,” he

said. “Worms have eaten through some of those piles and weakened the

whole sea wall structure.”

The timbers and bulkheads are in varied states of disrepair. Some

require rock reinforcement of the sea wall toe, while others must be

completely replaced with steel jacks. Costs are born by individual

homeowners, ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 depending on severity.

Sarah McFadden, senior scientist for the project, said it will impact

federally protected eelgrass and soft bottom bay habitats, but mitigation

efforts at the Anaheim Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Bolsa Chica

Ecological Reserve would compensate for it.

While more than 100 homes on Trinidad and Humboldt islands have signed

on for the repairs, there are some who have opted out of the group

project.

“Some people feel that they don’t need to reinforce the sea wall

supporting their homes, or that they won’t be living in them long enough

for it to matter,” he said. “But it is imperative for the structure of

the household to make the repairs.”

Ercil Brown, a five-year harbor resident, moved into his seaside home

in the 3400 block of Sagmore Drive a year ago. He decided to join the

group even though the previous owner had chosen not to.

“It’s a neighborhood effort,” Brown said. “If your neighbor reinforces

his sea wall, and you don’t, then what’s the point of him doing it at

all.”

The project will strengthen the entire neighborhood’s foundation and

protect a public walkway running behind some homes on the island, he

added.

Other residents see the sea wall deterioration as inevitable.

“I just look at it as the price you pay for living on the water,” said

John Kubeck, a resident of Venture Drive’s 3400 block. “Whenever you’re

fighting against water, you have to concede and make repairs,” he added.