Orange County’s disappearing coastline in San Clemente is slated to get some much-needed sand as high tides batter the coast while experts say a super El Niño approaches.
It comes as coastal cities grapple with high tides leading to localized flooding, beach and road closures, red-tagged homes and local emergencies.
Last week, California Coastal Commissioners approved plans for the OC Transportation Authority to bolster the train tracks running along the idyllic coast after the rail services have been shut down repeatedly in recent years due to coastal erosion.
Transportation agency officials are looking to place 690,000 cubic yards of sand, with 240,000 cubic yards going to North Beach and Mariposa Point, and 450,000 cubic yards at San Clemente State Beach.
The plans also call for a “shoreline protection structure,” which will replace large boulders with pipes for 1,400 feet along the trainline to help with stabilization.
“Wide sandy beaches provide a natural buffer for our rail corridor while protecting our coastline, expanding public access, and supporting our local economy,” said OC Transportation Authority Director and OC Supervisor Katrina Foley in a press release.
“Through continued collaboration with our state, regional, and local partners, we will advance lasting solutions that protect our beaches and preserve this vital transportation corridor for future generations.”
However, the sand likely won’t be placed until July, even with the expedited process.
This means this year’s potentially historic El Niño system could be well over by the time the sand comes, with the anticipated end of the season coming in March.
While sand placement likely won’t come until next year, the Orange County coast is already feeling the effects of El Niño, with high tides increasing the damage done by tropical storms in the Pacific.
Early last month, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach saw localized flooding as Tropical Storm Rachel rolled in, and Huntington Beach declared a state of emergency on Oct. 26 after tides came in over a foot higher than expected.
Part of the Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach is also reduced to just two lanes while crews stabilize a crack that appeared in the cliff supporting the roadway. There is no anticipated reopening date.
The portion of trainline in San Clemente running between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside has faced numerous closures since 2021, according to the OC Transportation Authority, with recent high tides causing more closures in the past few months.
Usually, large boulders, known as riprap, have been used to stabilize the line, but the rocks are known to accelerate sand erosion.
For years, San Clemente officials and residents have looked for new stabilization solutions to save their rapidly shrinking beaches.
Measure M, a ballot initiative that would add a 1% sales tax to partly fund beach conservation, is failing, with about 63% of San Clemente voters saying no.
