Biological Impact Analysis

CSMW conducted an initial assessment of issues and concerns with parties involved in sediment management activities through technical and public workshops. An emergent theme of this stakeholder input was a need to better quantify the actual effects that sediment management activities, such as beach nourishment and related activities, may have on coastal biota. It was generally agreed by all participants that a more complete understanding and better scientific data were needed for policy-makers, the regulatory community and project proponents in order for them to make well-informed decisions and recommendations.

CSMW subsequently developed a draft Biological Impacts Analysis (BIA) report that compiled what is known about potential effects of sediment management on California's coastal natural resources. This was done through a comprehensive assessment of available literature sources relating to potential biological impacts from coastal sediment management activities, primarily in California, but national and international references were also consulted. The annotated bibliography was subsequently incorporated into CSMW's Coastal Reference Database, available on this website's homepage. A comprehensive discussion of critical biota and habitats was developed and potential adverse and beneficial impacts of sediment management activities on the biota and habitat was described. The draft BIA report also included science-based recommendations to address relevant concerns as they relate to sensitive biota, habitats or ecosystems.

Due to the potential for widespread application of the report's findings in environmental assessments and project permitting, CSMW subsequently requested a large number of state and federal resource and regulatory agency personnel to review the draft report. Their comments are currently being addressed, and three additional efforts are being pursued as a result of the regulatory/resource agency input.

• A "Resource Protection Guidelines" document is being crafted to specifically focus on environmental assessment and project permitting issues. CSMW will be working with affected agencies throughout the first half of 2010 to meet and discuss the BIA findings, and then develop guidelines that are designed to help address their specific concerns.
• A large volume of information was compiled in the draft BIA, and reviewers felt that finding specific needed information could require significant effort. Accordingly, CSMW will prepare an "Abbreviated User's Guide" to the BIA that will assist decision-makers find the information they need.
• A large number of recommendations on how sediment management activities could be institutionalized in an environmentally-benign manner were advanced in the draft BIA. Reviewers felt it would be beneficial to develop a Workplan outlining how best to pursue such recommendations.

The draft BIA will be finalized contemporaneously with development of the Resource Protection Guidelines. The Abbreviated Users Guide to the BIA and Workplan will then follow. It is anticipated that these efforts will be completed by the end of 2010. Please contact Susie Ming (susan.m.ming@usace.army.mil) or Clif Davenport (clif.davenport@conservation.ca.gov) for further information or to obtain a copy of the draft BIA report.