News Summary
San Clemente is actively pursuing inland sand sources to combat beach erosion and safeguard the crucial train route between San Diego and Los Angeles. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has initiated efforts to find suitable sand, with the community facing challenges from both erosion and deteriorating bluffs. Potential sources like Prado Dam and Garnet Pit are being considered, while OCTA partners with various agencies for ocean dredging and beach replenishment initiatives. The city is also exploring funding solutions through a local sales tax increase to support restoration efforts.
San Clemente is actively seeking two inland sources of sand to address the critical issue of beach erosion and protect the only train route from San Diego to Los Angeles. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has announced its efforts to secure suitable sand for beach replenishment, following the unanimous approval by the OCTA board to advance these sourcing initiatives.
OCTA’s Executive Director of Capital Programs, Jim Beil, indicated that the search for sand is currently underway. However, any sand sourced inland must undergo screening and testing to ensure it is appropriate for use on the beach, as discussed in a recent meeting held in San Clemente. With coastal erosion and landslides having previously disrupted train travel in the area, ensuring the stability of the railroad tracks is of paramount importance.
The railroad lines along San Clemente’s beaches face dual threats from erosion on one side and deteriorating bluffs on the other. Earlier in 2025, the California Coastal Commission had already provided approval for emergency stabilization work, which included beach replenishment efforts and repairs to the existing rock barriers. Many repairs are nearing completion, and a contract for constructing a catchment wall has been awarded to Condon-Johnson and Associates.
One potential source of sand is the Prado Dam located on the Santa Ana River, capable of yielding around 100,000 cubic yards of sand annually. A second option, Garnet Pit near Palm Springs, can supply approximately 10,000 cubic yards of sand quickly, with the possibility of fulfillment in a few months. However, federal regulations stipulate that the sand from Garnet Pit must first be placed above the mean high tide line, with subsequent usage contingent on clearance under the National Environmental Policy Act.
In addition to sourcing sand from inland locations, OCTA is working with the California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out ocean dredging, which is expected to provide up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand for use at San Clemente. Just last year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deposited around 140,000 cubic yards of sand onto San Clemente’s beach as part of a long-term project projected to continue over the next 50 years.
San Clemente is collaborating with its neighboring community, Dana Point, to join the San Diego Association of Governments’ regional replenishment project, which aims to facilitate additional sand sourcing. In a recent test, the city evaluated 10 cubic yards of gray sand from Orcas Island, British Columbia, to assess alternative sand supplies. This imported sand was found to be visually darker but clean, ensuring it meets standards for cleanliness and grain size prioritized for replenishing local beaches.
A feasibility study conducted indicates that San Clemente requires between 5 and 7 million cubic yards of sand to effectively restore its shorelines from North Beach to the southern edge. The study also suggests several strategies, including the installation of underwater structures and dune planting to retain new sediment and the creation of offshore reefs aimed at reducing wave energy impacts.
Additionally, a proposed reef project near North Beach is estimated to cost around $60 million for design and environmental studies, with expectations that it would aid in sand retention and potentially create new surf breaks.
The city of San Clemente is proposing a local sales tax initiative to fund these beach restoration efforts, as well as wildfire prevention measures. The city council has already approved an increase to the sales tax, seeking additional funds to combat beach erosion and enhance infrastructure protection.
Future plans include monitoring options like breakwaters and artificial reefs to improve sand retention along the coastline. Advocacy groups such as Save Our Beaches San Clemente are working to secure funding and involve the community in ongoing beach restoration efforts, highlighting the city’s proactive approach to preserving its coastal environment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coastal Rail Service between Orange and San Diego to Resume
California Secures Nearly $10 Million for Coastal Rail Improvements
Additional Resources
- San Clemente Tests New Sand Off Shore
- Wikipedia: San Clemente
- Leslea Meyerhoff, Sand Czar
- Google Search: San Clemente sand erosion
- San Clemente’s Coastal Erosion Problem
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coastal Erosion
- San Clemente Needs Sand to Replenish Beaches
- Google News: San Clemente beach erosion
