Leaders of Orange County’s largest transportation agency say they’re trying to beef up the coast along the Pacific Surfliner rail way, but can’t answer questions on when more sand will be added.
It comes after a portion of the railroad line running along the coast in San Clemente was closed for over a week after high tides brought on by the outskirts of Hurricane Marie caused damage to the line.
Experts are warning of a strong El Niño system moving through this year, potentially bringing heavy rainfall and high tides to Southern California. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 75% chance of a historic event this season.
An emergency declaration approved by board members on Monday allows the agency to place sand and boulders to stabilize the rail line running along the coast without waiting on a contractor bidding process.
Between North Beach and Mariposa Point, 240,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed, and at the San Clemente State Beach, 450,000 cubic yards will be added for a grand total of 690,000 cubic yards according to a report from the agency.
It is expected that this amount of sand could create 80 to 130 feet of new dry beach in those areas.
The emergency declaration will also expedite the placement of riprap, or large rocks and boulders used to stabilize the rail line, in San Clemente.
The report by staff also mentioned the building of an “engineered shoreline protection structure” in south San Clemente, though there are no finalized plans as to what the structure might look like, according to OCTA Spokesperson Eric Carpenter.
According to the OCTA website, the coastal rail emergency project estimates that “95% of the material placed will be sand and 5% will be riprap placement.”
“With the potential for El Niño conditions this fall and winter, 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,” OCTA Chair Jamey Federico wrote in a press release.
While the weather system is already brewing, OCTA is unsure about when the sand will be added, mentioning that the necessary machinery to move the sand to the beaches is often booked months out.
“There is not a firm completion date for all of the emergency work,” wrote Carpenter in an email to Voice of OC Tuesday. “There are few U.S.-qualified hopper dredges capable of performing this work, and many are committed to projects months in advance.”
Because of its proximity to the coast, the line is no stranger to closures during periods of high tide, with waves overtopping the line, with riprap being used to stabilize the line after damage occurs.
However, riprap is known to accelerate erosion, adding to San Clemente’s longstanding issue with coastal erosion, with city leaders now claiming they need over four million cubic yards of sand in the next few years to keep their beach.
For years, San Clemente city officials and residents have tried to garner funding and solutions to save their rapidly disappearing coastline, with residents even rallying to support a 1% sales tax dubbed Measure M, which will appear on the ballot this year.
Despite the lack of progress in saving the coast in the past, San Clemente City Manager Andy Hall mentioned at the Monday board meeting that collaboration between the city and OCTA could help city efforts in preserving the beaches.
“Everything that we’re trying to do is very consistent with what you’re trying to do and, in the end, I know we’re going to end up with a situation that not only protects the rail, but also makes the other issues in San Clemente better,” Hall said at the Monday board meeting.
While the delivery of sand to the beach is expected to provide a buffer for the coastal rail lines for this storm season, there are questions about the long term approach to replenishing the beaches.
“The City is optimistic that the commitment from OCTA to include beach nourishment in their efforts to stabilize the rail line will result in a more resilient shoreline in San Clemente,” Hall wrote in an email to the Voice of OC Tuesday.
“However, like all infrastructure, the beach will need ongoing maintenance to avoid finding ourselves in the same place a few years from now.”
Michelle King is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. You can reach her at michelleking.news@gmail.com.
