of shore frontage studied was about 24 miles. In 1960 the permanent 
population of the coastal area was about 600,000. About 56 percent of 
the shore frontage of the area is publicly owned. The western part of 
the study area is characterized by rocky headlands between which are the 
deeply indented bays, Ensenada de Boca Vieja and Bahia de San Juan. The 
eastern part consists generally of low sandy beaches. Tides in the area 
are semi-diurnal with mean and spring ranges of 1.1 and 1.3 feet respect- 
ively. The recorded high water was 2.8 feet above mean low water, but a 
hurricane stage of 4 to 6 feet in September 1960 was reported. Waves 
approach the shore principally from directions from east through north- 
northeast, resulting in a general, but minor westward predominance of 
littoral drift east of the entrance to Bahia de San Juan. West thereof 
in Ensenada de Boca Vieja the direction of drift appears to alternate with 
little, if any, predominance in either direction. Deeply eroded embay- 
ments prevent normal westward drift, so that there appears to be a general 
deficiency in supply, except in the most easterly section. 
The District and Division Engineers developed plans for restoring and 
protecting the shores of the area, and made economic analyses of proposed 
protective measures, They concluded that practicable plans for the restora- 
tion and stabilization of shores within the study area are as follows: 
a. Ensenada de Boca Vieja - Restoring approximately 1 mile of 
beach by direct placement of sand fill; 
b. Catano - Restoring approximately 1.4 miles of beach by 
direct placement of sand fill and protecting E1 Canuelo by rubble; 
c. Condado and Ocean Park - Restoring approximately 0.9 mile 
of beach by direct placement of sand fill and construction of a breakwater 
129 feet long at the west end of the reach; 
d. Isla Verde and International Airport - Restoring approxi- 
mately 1.3 miles of beach by direct placement of sand fill; 
All plans include periodic nourishment to stabilize the restored beaches. 
The District and Division Engineers and the Beach Erosion Board found that 
restoration and protection of the Condado-Ocean Park shore are justified 
by evaluated benefits. They further found the nature and amount of bene- 
fits warrant Federal participation, and recommended adoption of a project 
by the United States authorizing, subject to certain conditions, Federal 
participation by the contribution of Federal funds in an amount equal to 
8.2 percent of the first costs and periodic nourishment costs for a period 
of 10 years. The Beach Erosion Board emphasized the importance of sand 
supply to the stability of the shore of Playa de las Tres Palmitas and 
pointed out that continued removal of sand for commercial purposes from 
that shore and from the mouth of Loiza River will result in future shore 
recession in that reach. The Chief of Engineers concurred in the views and 
recommendations of the Beach Erosion Board, 
85 
