From feasibility study to construction: A dredged material wildlife reserve in San Diego Bay, California

The feasibility of using dredged material to construct an island-like wildlife reserve in southern San Diego Bay was reported in Oceans '75 (Smith et al., 1975). Subsequent work by the San Diego Unified Port District and consultants on preliminary design studies, cost tradeoff analysis, detailed engineering design, soil borings, sediment chemistry analyses, and preliminary tests of construction techniques has culminated in issuance of regulatory permits, authorization of the project by the Unified Port District, solicitation of bids, and contract award. During the two years required to complete these steps, escalation in dredging costs, aggravated by institutional delays, resulted in major increases in project cost. The low bid in April 1977 was approximately $2.5 million, about 60 percent higher than the 1975 cost analysis had projected. Construction is expected to take about two years and a salt marsh generation program may take another two to five years.