The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Los Angeles District has signed a ceremonial project partnership agreement to protect the San Clemente, California shoreline, combatting coastal erosion with an extensive beach nourishment project.
The press conference and ceremonial signing celebrates the collaboration between USACE and the City of San Clemente.
The collaboration is for a 50-foot-wide beach nourishment project along a 3,412-foot-long stretch of shoreline using a replenishment of 200,000 cubic yards of compatible sediment every six years on average for the next 50 years.
The initial construction is an estimated $15 million with a 65/35 cost share between the Corps and the City of San Clemente.
“I want to emphasize how much we value the collaboration we have with the City of San Clemente as we work to reduce shoreline erosion and protect coastal infrastructure from storm-induced waves along the San Clemente shoreline for those who live, work and recreate here, and those who use the rail service between Orange County and San Diego,” said USACE Col. Julie Balten.
The loss of shoreline protection reduces recreational beach width and can cause damage to coastal residential and commercial properties from storm-induced waves. This can present a threat to community members, homes, businesses, transportation and those who visit San Clemente State Beach.
The narrowing of the shoreline can subject the public facilities, seaward of the railroad corridor, to wave-induced damage and further reduces recreational space on an already space-limited area. This includes the nearby Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Amtrak and Metrolink commuter rail line that carries more than 100,000 passengers per day.
The project, however, is designed to help address all these issues by reducing the potential for storm damage to facilities located along the coast of San Clemente, including recreational beach facilities and the rail corridor, and helping restore and maintain recreational use along the San Clemente coastal area.
