The City of San Clemente recently advanced its multi-pronged Coastal Strategic Plan to address ongoing coastal erosion, simultaneously preparing for a November ballot measure that could provide dedicated funding for beach preservation efforts. During a recent Tuesday night council meeting, city leaders discussed their long-term vision to widen the coastline, while also accepting a $2 million grant from the State Coastal Conservancy for a sand retention pilot project.
The city's pursuit of solutions comes as local voters will consider a 1% sales tax increase in the upcoming November election. This citizen-led initiative, if approved by a simple majority, would establish a designated funding source for coastal projects, including sand placement, and wildfire prevention. This follows a previous city-led sales tax proposal that failed last year, securing 64.62% "yes" votes but falling short of the required 66.7% for earmarked funds. The current initiative needs only more than 50% "yes" votes. Councilmember Victor Cabral expressed optimism at the September 1 City Council meeting, stating, "I think there's hope for more sand on the beach."
Leslea Meyerhoff, the city’s coastal administrator, outlined a vision to create a 250-feet-wide beach, allowing continuous public access along the shore. A significant component of this strategy involves a partnership between the City of San Clemente and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This collaboration is expected to deliver two million cubic yards of sand to the beaches over the next 50 years, with 250,000-cubic-yard batches deposited every five to six years. Costs for this extensive project are planned to be shared among the city, federal, and state governments.
Additional regional efforts are also underway. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is working on a separate initiative to widen beaches along the Southern California coastline, including San Clemente. This project remains in the planning phase, with sand placement anticipated to commence around 2030. Concurrently, the City of San Clemente’s offshore sand source investigation, which collected samples from various offshore locations, is expected to yield a draft report by the end of this year. The city also holds a Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) permit, valid for 10 years, which authorizes the annual addition of up to 300,000 cubic yards of sand to the beaches, contingent on available sand sources and funding. This permit is intended to supplement larger-scale projects. Furthermore, the city conducts a regional shoreline monitoring program to analyze sand behavior and optimize longevity following replenishment.
Despite these plans, city leaders acknowledge current funding limitations. Councilmember Cabral highlighted the severity of the situation during the recent meeting, illustrating areas near Cotton’s Point with minimal sand separating the train tracks from the ocean. He emphasized the urgent need for action, noting that what were once beaches with recreational facilities could become the future of San Clemente's eight miles of coastline "if we don't do something about it."
Another recent action saw the City Council vote to accept a $2 million grant from the State Coastal Conservancy. This funding is specifically earmarked for a sand retention pilot project that could involve the construction of offshore breakwaters to dissipate wave energy. Councilmember Zhen Wu clarified that accepting the grant did not constitute a decision to build, calling it "free money from the state."
Coastal erosion also poses a significant threat to the vital rail line running along San Clemente's coast. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) discussed potential solutions for protecting the seven-mile stretch of railway during an August 24 meeting. In some sections, the tracks are less than 200 feet from the waterline, making them vulnerable to waves, especially during high tide. OCTA's ongoing study aims to implement proactive, 30-year protection measures rather than relying on emergency responses. OCTA Chief Executive Officer Darrell Johnson noted that "too much of our work along the coastline has been driven by emergencies."
OCTA plans to place approximately 560,000 cubic yards of sand onto San Clemente’s shoreline to protect the railway. This project is projected for completion by fall 2028, pending necessary permits and approvals. OCTA spokesman Eric Carpenter stated that while wider beaches provide a natural buffer, sand alone may not be sufficient in all locations due to its natural movement. Therefore, OCTA's proposals also include engineered protection, such as placing boulders (riprap), engineered rock revetments, or seawalls in the most vulnerable areas.
OC Supervisor and OCTA board member Katrina Foley expressed concern over the difficulty and timeline for obtaining permits, emphasizing that "we need to be depositing sand now" and urged coordination with San Clemente to streamline the process. OCTA chair Jamey Federico also underscored the importance of partnership in coastal resiliency efforts, noting that such initiatives can also safeguard the railway.
