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OC Transportation Agency board declares coastal erosion emergency
The Mariposa pedestrian bridge damaged by a landslide in San Clemente.
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Orange County Transportation Authority
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OC Transportation Agency board declares coastal erosion emergency
Orange County Transportation Agency has declared an emergency because of the coastal erosion along the county’s disappearing beaches. Destiny Torres reports.
Topline:
The Orange County Transportation Authority board on Monday declared coastal erosion conditions an emergency, allowing the agency to speedily replenish sand at San Clemente’s disappearing beaches in an effort to protect the coastal rail line.
The details: The agency plans to place 690,000 cubic yards of sand across North Beach, Mariposa Point and San Clemente State Beach. The efforts will create between 80 and 130 feet of additional dry beach. By declaring the coastal erosion an emergency, the agency can waive normal bidding and contracting requirements.
The backstory: Erosion and landslides along the iconic rail corridor from South Orange County to the San Diego County line have caused several disruptions since 2021. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last week in preparation for the El Niño storm, which is expected to severely impact California’s coast.
Officials said: O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley said red tape has hindered the agency’s ability to proactively protect beaches. “By aligning OCTA with the County and State’s declarations of emergency, we can potentially advance approximately 690,000 cubic yards of sand along San Clemente years ahead of schedule to restore our beaches while protecting our coastal communities and rail corridor,” Foley said in a statement.
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