Installation of CoastSnap Beach Monitoring Equipment by University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California, Los Angeles at Imperial Beach Pier

The proposed project would involve the installation of a photo station for beach and coastline data collection on Imperial Beach Pier by researchers affiliated with University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California, Los Angeles (Applicant), as part of the CoastSnap California Program (CoastSnap), in the city of Imperial Beach, California. The proposed project would also include the issuance of a Tidelands and Occupancy Permit (TUOP). CoastSnap is a community-based beach monitoring program which allows for repeated data collection through community members and beach visitors that utilize the permanent photo stations and CoastSnap app by uploading shoreline images taken from a fixed location over time. CoastSnap photo stations have been distributed in coastal regions across the world, including the state of California, and provide valuable imagery and data to track coastal changes and sea level rise. Images taken from the Imperial Beach Pier would be collected as part of the new CoastSnap California Program, and uploaded to a CoastSnap California web page and image repository so that all California imagery and data would be located in a centralized repository and available to the public. Installation of the proposed project would contribute to a new, statewide coastline monitoring tool that can be utilized by various groups and organizations including citizens, researchers, management agencies, and local governments. The location of the proposed project was selected due to the pier’s proximity to the Border Field State Park, one (1) of the 12 CoastSnap monitoring sites across the state of California. The pier is the nearest location with high foot traffic, ensuring sufficient image collection, and provides an adequate vantage point of the coastline towards Border Field State Park. The proposed photo station would be installed on the eastern end of the pier along the south side railing, within approximately 215 feet of Portwood Pier Plaza. Work to specifically complete the proposed project would consist of the installation of a metal photo cradle (slightly larger than the average smartphone) and standard A4 sized informational signage (approximately 8.27” x 11.69”) on the railing and vertical post of the pier, which would be attached using simple screws. Installation is anticipated to occur in November 2025, with on-going maintenance as necessary, and would require one (1) person with a power drill and screws. The photo station, including the photo cradle and informational signage, would be removed upon expiration of the TUOP or completion of the intended research, whichever occurs first. Issuance of the TUOP would allow the Applicant for their use of portions of Imperial Beach Pier only for the non-exclusive purpose of scientific research deployment, including installation, operation, maintenance and removal of equipment in place, and for no other purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Executive Director of the District. It is anticipated that the TUOP would have a term of approximately five (5) years. The TUOP may be terminated by the Executive Director of the District or their duly authorized representative or the Applicant as a matter of right and without cause at any time upon the giving of thirty (30) days’ notice in writing to the other party of such termination.