THIS MAGNIFICENT STRETCH OF MOUNTAINS, beach and pre-historic monoliths beg to be treasured and protected. Breakers Point residents are fully dedicated to its preservation through responsible sand management and support of the NorthCoast Land Conservancy (nclctrust.org). Several residents and Board Members are involved by donating a substantial amount of time and finances to this effective organization.
LIVING ON THE DUNES and on the ocean is such a thrill but it also creates some challenges. Keeping the property maintained requires a great deal of diligence due to a constant onslaught of wind, salt and sand. Occasionally, it is necessary to grade the dunes to protect the property from sand inundation which impacts the landscape, buildings and views. Since 1997, Breakers Point has removed of 66,000 cubic yards of sand from the dunes. This may seem like a lot of sand, but it is a tiny fraction of the 2 MILLION cubic yards of sand on the dune. This grading has had no negative effects, and is a small fraction of the sand that has accumulated since the development was built. It may take up to two years of coordination before a grain of sand is moved. The process to remove sand is very complex and requires permits, fees and close coordination with 13 city, county, state and federal agencies. Breakers Point works very hard to maintain excellent working relationsips with these agencies by building trust and following every regulatory requirement. To view a typical step-by-step process of dune grading please see "Responsible Sand Management".
LANDSCAPE plays a major role in the Breakers Point property as it occupies a 10.5 acre site, some of which is the sand dune. But the rest of the property is actively landscaped. This requires the use of resources, such as water. Breakers Point is currently implementing an intitiative to convert from spray to drip irrigation wherever possible. Where spray heads are still needed (e.g. turf), the heads will be updated with new, more effecient parts. Additionally, Breakers Point has long adopted a policy of Integrated Pest Management, which protects water quality by using fewer, less toxic chemicals. Retaining walls or curbs are used to help prevent runoff from garden beds. Breakers Point also focuses on using the correct plant materials, which are native, or suitable, to this environment, which reduces the use of water and chemicals.