CA Coastal Commission OKs Massive Seawall, Sand Dump as Erosion Threatens South OC Rail Line

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — California coastal regulators Thursday approved a massive shoreline protection project aimed at keeping trains running through San Clemente, despite concerns that additional seawalls and boulders could worsen erosion along the city's shrinking beaches.

The California Coastal Commission voted 11-0 to approve the Orange County Transportation Authority's plan to reinforce the railroad with thousands of tons of boulders, a 1,223-foot seawall and 690,000 cubic yards of sand to replenish nearby beaches.

The project is intended to protect a vulnerable stretch of railroad that has repeatedly been shut down by coastal erosion since 2021, disrupting passenger and freight service between Orange and San Diego counties.

Environmental groups worry the shoreline armoring could accelerate erosion and occupy valuable beach space.

At Cyprus Shore, the beach has narrowed from approximately 200 feet to less than 80 feet over the past decade.

"We agree the situation here is dire," commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge told commissioners during Thursday's hearing in San Francisco, as reported by The Orange County Register.

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley urged commissioners to move forward, warning that postponing the decision could delay sand replenishment by another three years because of limited dredging contractor availability.

"Doing nothing is not a good option... There's no perfect solution, not even a good solution... But we don't want perfection to be the enemy of the good," Commissioner Ray Jackson said during the meeting.