City of Del Mar, CA

26/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 26/07/2024 19:06

Final approvals secured for streamlined sand replenishment

As of this week, Del Mar has secured final approvals from state and federal resource agencies to streamline the placement of high-quality sand on City beaches.

The Sand Compatibility Opportunistic Use Program, or SCOUP, enables Del Mar to readily-accept beach-quality material from infrastructure or development projects and from dredging of the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet.

In 2019, the City Council identified the SCOUP as a high-priority special project. Since then, Del Mar completed environmental review and has secured approvals from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The SCOUP allows for up to 180,000 cubic yards of sand to be placed on the Del Mar beaches over a five-year period. As identified in Del Mar's Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan, wider beaches can protect property against erosion and flooding.

Sand replenishment is one of Del Mar's top strategies for addressing sea level rise.

Other benefits include ecological restoration, protection of coastal bluffs and improvement of coastal habitat. A sandy beach is part of Del Mar's identity and, as a major attraction for residents and visitors, ties directly to economic activity. As a recreational resource, the beach provides immeasurable benefits.

The approved SCOUP allows for sand placement from the northerly City limit to the shoreline below the southern boundary of Powerhouse Park. From there, sand replenishment will be avoided to prevent potential impacts to surf grass, kelp, algae, tide pools and other nearshore environmental resources.

Del Mar's SCOUP includes a prescribed resource monitoring program.

Meanwhile, the City continues to track other beach sand projects in the region that could factor into plans for a future project in Del Mar.

Earlier this year, an Army Corps of Engineers project brought large volumes of sand to Encinitas and Solana Beach. That sand has drifted southward and is accumulating within the inlets of the San Dieguito and Los Peñasquitos lagoons. The Army Corps of Engineers is conducting monitoring the build-ups and will be take follow-up action as needed.