FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The receipt of additional project details does not entail any fiscal impact.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Primary Strategic Pillar(s) and Initiative(s):
Optimal Levels of Service for Residents and Businesses
• Support and establish programs and events that created a strong sense of community pride and a connection to our history and heritage ATTACHMENTS:
A. Project Map
Agenda Item No. 14 Page 2 of 3 CC Agenda 03-17-2025
Attachment A
Agenda Item No. 14 Agenda Item No. 14 Page 3 of 3 Page 3 of 3 CC Agenda 03-17-2025 CC Agenda 03-17-2025 DATE: March 17, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: James Vega, City Manager
SUBJECT: CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR DREDGING PROJECT UPDATE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council receive an update on the Channel Islands Harbor dredging project, and provide direction.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
This year’s dredging project was completed on February 28, 2025, with equipment removal and promenade reopening completed by March 7, 2025. Because of permitting issues between the State and Federal agencies, discussed further below, the project was short of its goal of 2.4 million cubic yards, and it is estimated that between 900,000 to 1 million cubic yards were dredged. In conversations with various parties, including representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers and the dredge operations contractors, it has been stated that efforts will be made to return this year to perform additional dredge, although it is not guaranteed at this time.
Representatives from the Channel Islands Harbor, Port of Hueneme, and City of Port Hueneme have continued to advocate for additional dredging this year, and under the City’s legislative program, the City will continue to advocate.
The following is background information related to the history of the dredging project:
Congressionally authorized dredging to re-nourish Hueneme Beach started in the 1960’s in order to remedy the negative impacts on regional sand transport and Hueneme Beach resulting from the construction of Naval Base Ventura Harbor. The dredging project is vital to Hueneme Beach, but also to Channel Islands Harbor, the Port of Hueneme and Navy Base Ventura County. With insufficient dredging in the past, the City of Port Hueneme saw major beach loss and threats of undermining public access and public infrastructure.
Agenda Item No. 15 Page 1 of 3 CC Agenda 03-17-2025
Dredging Project Update
March 17, 2025
The goal of the County of Ventura is to dredge a minimum of 2.2 million cubic yards biannually. Over the past three dredging cycles, the total sand has been 2.4 million (2023); 1.9 million (2021); and 1.6 million (2019) cubic yards.
At the April 15, 2024 City Council Meeting, the City Council received a report on the City’s dredging project and authorized staff to collaborate with key partners, such as the Port, Harbor, Army Corps of Engineers, United States Navy, BEACON, and other advocates for the project. At that time, the City and its partners on this project had become aware of funding challenges for the project. The City and its partners spent significant effort to ensure that the funding challenges for the project were resolved. Following the resolution of the funding challenges, the City, Port, and Harbor were informed of delays to the dredging project due to changes made in the state’s section 401 (Clean Water Act) permit process, which involves the State Water Quality Control Board and the US Army Corps of Engineers. In short – local agencies were informed that the issue was based on a difference between State and Federal standards related to the state having a higher standard under the Clean Water Act than the Federal standard that federal projects typically meet. In response, the City, Port, and the Harbor began urgently reaching out to state and federal elected representatives to bring attention to the issue. This led to several meetings with representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, Congresspersons, and others to address the matter. The issue was addressed, but caused enough delay to the solicitation process that resulted in a reduced dredge this cycle due to the limited timeframe for dredging due to nesting season limitations.
Staff remains in communication with Port of Hueneme and Channel Islands Harbor leadership, as well as Army Corps of Engineers members and will continue to advocate for a dredge return in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Advocating for the dredging project has required more staff time than initially estimated due to these additional challenges that have arisen at the state and federal levels, estimated at 80 hours of staff time. No additional fiscal impact is anticipated at this time.
Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Primary Strategic Pillar(s) and Initiative(s):
Safe, Secure, & Beautiful Community
• Actively support on-going beach preservation efforts and funding for prevention of erosion
Strategic Partnerships
• Establish a mechanism for engagement, information sharing, dialogue and ongoing cooperative decision-making with key stakeholders Agenda Item No. 15 Page 2 of 3 CC Agenda 03-17-2025
Dredging Project Update
March 17, 2025
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Agenda Item No. 15 Page 3 of 3 CC Agenda 03-17-2025