Replenishment of Sand at Seal Beach

The Oct. 13 article “The Sands of Time” describes Seal Beach residents’ concerns about the loss of sand on “their” beach. The perception (by others) of their worries qualifies to be included in that famous category that is epitomized by the feelings of a man “watching his new Cadillac being driving off a cliff by his mother-in-law.”

On the plus side, everybody agrees that our beaches should be maintained because we all consider them to be tremendous natural assets capable of being prime generators of tourist revenue, jobs and recreational opportunities for Orange County citizens, plus numerous other reasons. That the erosion problem of this beach was caused by the government’s construction of the up-coast jetty is a “stick in the eye” subject, and most people would think the federal government should pay for mitigating a problem it caused.

On the other hand, I don’t feel too much concern for the residents. I’m sure they paid or are paying higher prices for living where they do because of the allure of being “on the beach,” while probably opposing paying higher taxes to fix a government-caused problem that affects only a tiny fraction of Orange Countians. That the Corps of Engineers is entangled in red tape shouldn’t be a surprise.

CHUCK NYQUIST

Garden Grove

* Forty years ago I appeared at a public hearing chaired by an Army Corps of Engineers colonel. Seal Beach citizens wanted the army to rebuild new beaches by sand replenishment after their beaches were eroded. The army was happy to oblige.

I alone objected, on marine geological grounds. I argued that if sand replenishment began, it would go on forever. The colonel rebutted by citing his experience in building dams in Tennessee.

I argued that people who were foolish enough to build and live close to the ocean must suffer the consequences. The oceans are terribly unforgiving. It isn’t the averages that kill you, it’s the extremes. High waves with high tides, pushed by big storms along narrow winter beaches, guarantee erosion of beaches and cliffs.

Beachfront property owners must learn to accept they are living a precarious life, and they should not look to the general taxpayer to pay for their preferences.

RICHARD D. TERRY

San Clemente