The Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA) board members on Monday approved an emergency declaration enabling the agency to place sand and boulders to stabilize the coastal rail line in San Clemente without undergoing a contractor bidding process. This decision follows a period when a section of the railway was closed for over a week after high tides, influenced by the outskirts of Hurricane Marie, caused damage to the line.
Experts are cautioning about a strong El Niño system anticipated this year, which could bring heavy rainfall and elevated tides to Southern California. The National Weather Service estimates a 75% probability of a historic event this season. OCTA Chair Jamey Federico indicated in a press release that "this emergency action gives OCTA the ability to move as quickly as possible to strengthen protection of the rail line and help keep trains moving safely."
Under the approved emergency declaration, a total of 690,000 cubic yards of sand is planned for placement. An agency report specifies that 240,000 cubic yards will be added between North Beach and Mariposa Point, with an additional 450,000 cubic yards slated for San Clemente State Beach. This volume of sand is projected to create 80 to 130 feet of new dry beach in these areas. The declaration also expedites the placement of riprap, which consists of large rocks and boulders used to stabilize the rail line, in San Clemente. According to the OCTA website, the coastal rail emergency project anticipates that approximately 95% of the material placed will be sand, with riprap constituting 5%.
While an "engineered shoreline protection structure" in south San Clemente was mentioned in a staff report, OCTA Spokesperson Eric Carpenter confirmed there are currently no finalized plans for its design. Despite the urgent need driven by weather forecasts, OCTA is uncertain about the timeline for sand addition. Carpenter stated in an email on Tuesday, "There is not a firm completion date for all of the emergency work," further noting that few U.S.-qualified hopper dredges capable of this work are available, with many already committed months in advance.
The rail line, due to its coastal proximity, has a history of closures during high tide periods when waves overtop the tracks, necessitating previous riprap placements for stabilization. However, riprap is known to accelerate erosion, contributing to San Clemente's ongoing challenges with coastal erosion. City leaders in San Clemente have indicated a need for over four million cubic yards of sand in the coming years to preserve their beaches, with residents previously rallying to support Measure M, a 1% sales tax, to fund coastline protection efforts.
San Clemente City Manager Andy Hall, speaking at the Monday board meeting, highlighted the potential for collaboration between the city and OCTA. Hall expressed optimism in an email on Tuesday that OCTA's commitment to including beach nourishment in its rail line stabilization efforts would lead to a more resilient shoreline for San Clemente. He emphasized, however, that "like all infrastructure, the beach will need ongoing maintenance to avoid finding ourselves in the same place a few years from now." While the planned sand delivery is expected to provide an immediate buffer for the coastal rail lines during the upcoming storm season, questions regarding a comprehensive, long-term approach to beach replenishment remain.
