Shoreline Erosion Control & Public Beach Restoration

 

The general objectives of DBW’s coastal erosion control programs are to protect public safety along the California shoreline and reduce the public costs of shoreline erosion. This can be achieved by:

  • Cosponsoring the planning and construction of cost-effective erosion control projects with local and federal agencies,
  • Improving present knowledge of oceanic forces, coastal erosion factors, and evolving shoreline conditions, and
  • Sharing and applying this knowledge to help prevent or reduce future erosion.

California's coast is a naturally eroding shoreline. When erosion threatens to damage important public infrastructure and jeopardize public safety, erosion control projects at strategically selected places can reduce a variety of risks that include coastal flooding during storm surges and bluff collapses.

Appropriate actions to address coastal erosion vary depending on different locations’ circumstances. The state generally prefers to allow natural coastal processes to proceed uninterrupted unless intervention is necessary. When action is needed, erosion control options can include “soft solutions” such as sand replenishment and dune restoration, “hard solutions” like seawalls and jetties, or some combination thereof. State policy encourages use of soft solutions instead of hardening where feasible, but each situation requires a careful review of all possible alternatives in light of costs, impacts, and efficacy.

DBW has been the state entity with responsibility for statewide shoreline erosion control since 1970. This responsibility was reconfirmed in a 1997 Executive Order and in the 1999 bill that established the Public Beach Restoration Program under DBW. Today DBW fulfills its responsibilities in this area in several ways, including facilitating coastal studies statewide and providing local assistance grants to government agencies that plan and construct cost-effective coastal erosion solutions. These grants come from two programs, the Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration programs.

To learn more about these programs and how to apply for these grant opportunities, click here

   
Funding YearProject NameLocationProject PhaseBudgeted AmountProgram
2022/23 Encinitas-Solana Beach Shoreline Protection Project Encinitas and Solana Beach Construction $11,500,000 PBR
2022/23 San Clemente Beach Restoration Project San Clemente Construction $1,085,000 PBR
2022/23 Surfside-Sunset Beach Restoration Project Orange County Construction $2,900,000 PBR
2019/20 Pacifica Beach Boulevard Protection Project Pacifica Study $750,000 SEC
2019/20 San Clemente Beach Restoration Project San Clemente Construction $231,000 PBR
2018/19 Coyote Point Eastern Promenade San Mateo County Construction $700,000 SEC
2018/19 Carpinteria Shore Protection Project Carpinteria Initial Study $600,000 PBR
2017/18 Surfside-Sunset Beach Restoration Project Orange County Planning and Construction $989,000 PBR
2017/18 Surfer's Beach Restoration Pilot Project San Mateo County Planning and Construction $800,000 PBR
2017/18 Carpinteria Shore Protection Project Carpinteria Initial Study $600,000 PBR
2016/17 Surfside-Sunset Beach Restoration Project Orange County Construction $5,250,000 PBR
2016/17 San Clemente Beach Restoration Project San Clemente Construction $3,400,000 PBR
2016/17 Santa Cruz Beach Front Project Santa Cruz County Construction $700,000 SEC
2016/17 Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Study Monterey Initial Study $140,000 PBR
2015/16 Rincon Parkway Shoreline Restoration Ventura County Construction $2,900,000 PBR
2015/16 Surfside-Sunset Beach Restoration Project Orange County Planning $739,000 PBR
2015/16 Development of Regional Sediment Master Plans Sonoma County, Marin County, Eureka, San Francisco Initial Studies $485,000 PBR
2015/16 Encinitas-Solana Beach Shoreline Protection Project Encinitas and Solana Beach Planning $450,000 PBR
2015/16 Purchase of Dredge Booster Pump Monterey Purchase $200,000 PBR
2015/16 Carpinteria Shore Protection Project Carpinteria Initial Study $75,000 PBR
2014/15 Rincon Parkway Shoreline Restoration Ventura County Construction $2,100,000 PBR
2014/15 Solana Beach Restoration Project Encinitas and Solana Beach Planning $450,000 PBR
2014/15 Beach Erosion Control: Price Street Pismo Beach Planning and Construction $400,000 PBR
2012/13 Beach Erosion Control: St. Anderw's Pismo Beach Planning and Construction $865,000 SEC
2012/13 Encinitas-Solana Beach Shoreline Protection Project Encinitas and Solana Beach Initial Study $187,000 PBR
2012/13 Carpinteria Shore Protection Project Carpinteria Initial Study $162,000 SEC