The city of Del Mar is accepting public comment for a draft initial study and mitigated declaration for the San Dieguito Lagoon levee, habitat enhancement and trail project, followed by an anticipated June decision by the Del Mar City Council to adopt the final versions.
Del Mar Principal Planner Amanda Lee said during the March 17 Del Mar City Council meeting that it’s “a nature-based, adaptation project” that includes shoreline treatments to reduce the risks of flooding.
“It’s a really complicated area of hydrology, a lot of great engineering work that’s been done, so that is one bucket of improvements that are being done on both sides of the river,” Lee said.
Goals for the project also include creating space for habitat transition and native vegetation, as well as improving public trail access and recreational amenities, according to city staff.
On the north riverbank, there is a proposed 50-foot wide, 1,500-foot long levee berm sloping up and away from the river to address the risk of flooding at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
On the southeast riverbank, there are proposed improvements on city-owned property approximately 1,030 feet in length, according to a council agenda report, and “currently developed with the city’s Public Works facility and a segment of the existing Del Mar Riverpath trail between Jimmy Durante Boulevard and the railroad bridge.” Part of the existing public trail would be elevated to a width of 10 feet on top of a new 40-foot-wide berm and connecting floodwall for flood protection.
The southwest riverbank includes a North County Transit District easement.
“Existing pedestrian and vehicular access would be maintained,” according to the agenda report. “A combination of potential drainage and habitat improvements are being considered, including: 1) a floodwall adjacent to the Beach Colony Apartment parking lot; 2) a connecting berm through the wall; 3) a passive tide gate drainage improvement to prevent the backup of floodwater behind the floodwall; and 4) the replacement of a small concrete and non-native vegetation area with upland transitional habitat vegetation.”
Sources of funding from the city, which has applied for a total of $5.5 million in grants, are to be determined. Construction is expected to last 12-18 months once it begins.