1. Main Beach - Living Shorelines Final Design and Implementation The City of Santa Cruz is conducting a living shorelines and nature-based solutions feasibility study resulting in 30% designs for a number of locations along the Santa Cruz coastline, including a Main Beach/San Lorenzo River living shoreline application. The proposed project would reduce flood risk and beach loss at the Main Beach and San Lorenzo River mouth area by funding: 1) development of designs to 100%; 2) completion of environmental review and permitting, 3) implementation of the Beach/River living shoreline project, and 4) the development of monitoring, operational and maintenance plans and agreements. The project will also vastly improve safe access at one of the most dangerous coastal access points in the City by providing public and emergency access infrastructure between the levee, frontline neighborhood and the river and beach, through the living shoreline. This project will also improve habitat and biodiversity. Extensive engagement has been conducted with the disadvantaged frontline neighborhood of Beach Flats, and other interested parties. Recent engagement with frontline neighborhood residents indicates that Main Beach was their primary beach for recreation due to proximity. The monitoring for this project, along with triggers and thresholds to modify overall approach (e.g., transitioning to a planned relocation strategy, for instance, of the Boardwalk that sits between Main Beach and the Beach Flats neighborhood), will be integrated into the City’s Coastal Change Monitoring Network engagement and deployment. 2. Santa Cruz City Parks Flood Mitigation and Habitat Enhancement and Restoration The proposed project includes enhancing and expanding wetland, flood management, trails, and educational and recreational uses at Jessie Street Marsh and San Lorenzo Park which are two Cityowned properties located along the San Lorenzo River. For the 3.2-acre Jessie Street Marsh, the project involves the planning, design, permitting, and construction of wetland expansion and enhancement as well as an ADA accessible, interpretive multi-use trail. The trail will connect the severely disadvantaged Lower Ocean neighborhood to parks and a regional multi-use trail network along the river. We will utilize NOAA grant funds to complete the final design, obtain permits, and construct the project. Importantly, a contaminated fill area with low-level concentrations of lead will be removed from the wetland and public access areas, improving habitat value and public safety.
