Sand Replenishment Project Moves Forward In San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Residents of San Clemente will see more sand on the city's shoreline come next year, after the federal government approved $9.3 million of funding for the City of San Clemente's sand replacement project, a spokesperson with the city told Patch.

"This important project will support our businesses that rely on beach activity and tourism, and help restore recreational opportunities important to the community of San Clemente," San Clemente Mayor Gene James said in a news release.

The project, which consists of roughly 250,000 cubic yards of new sand on a 3,400-foot long stretch from Linda Lane to South T Street, has been in the works for more than 20 years. The project is one of the ways the City of San Clemente is combating gradual shoreline erosion.

The feasibility and environmental review for the project began in 2001 and was completed in 2011, a spokesperson for the City of San Clemente said in a statement. The project was approved as an Army Corps of Engineers project in 2014, which helped pave the way for the project to receive federal funding.

Total projects costs are estimated to be around $15.1 million and additional funding will come, the city said. San Clemente has already been awarded $3.4 million in grants from the California Department of Boating and Waterways to go towards the project and hopes to receive an additional $1 million grant next year.

“The funding is great news for our community," Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan said in a statement. "The City of San Clemente thanks all those who made this happen including Congressman Mike Levin, the City’s federal lobbyist, past and present Councilmembers, and past and present City staff."

The city's sand replenishment project will likely begin in fall 2023.