Windansea Beach Impact Assessment & Restoration Concept

Great Ecology evaluated the environmental and aesthetic resources of a coastal bluff at Windansea Beach where a proposed new belvedere (gazebo) development would be located. We reviewed state and local biological and geotechnical databases, and evaluated the viewshed impacts from the proposed project to the surrounding La Jolla neighborhood. Great Ecology found that the project would likely have negative impacts on biological resources: in particular, the project would impact existing Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub, a sensitive habitat type that supports many threatened species. Development would also exacerbate ongoing erosion issues in the area, especially on soils already considered highly erodible.

In addition to the impact assessment, Great Ecology provided a conceptual alternate solution to improve the site without construction of the belvedere. This included native plant restoration to improve issues with ongoing erosion, road and railing/stairway repairs, and stormwater outfall maintenance in the area.