A plan to use sand that may have otherwise gone to a landfill is in place to replenish LA-area beaches, county officials announced Wednesday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors’ beach nourishment plan received unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors last month.
Once approved by regulatory agencies, the Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program, or SCOUP will end the time-consuming process for permits and county approval for small beach nourishment projects.
“The diminishing amount of sand on our beaches is one of the many negative factors of climate change impacting our shoreline,” Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose 2nd District includes Dockweiler, Manhattan and Redondo beaches, said in a statement. “SCOUP helps the County address this challenge with cost-effective, nature-based solutions to replenish the sand our beaches need, while supporting the County’s commitment to keeping our beaches accessible to everyone.”
The plan also calls for sand replenishment at Zuma and Will Rogers beaches in the northern stretch of county coastline.
The beaches in Mitchell’s district were chosen using several criteria, including coastal erosion and flood risk, public infrastructure and amenities along with recreational and economic benefits, among others, officials said. The beaches are also popular destinations for residents of “diverse inland communities,” and preservation is key to ensuring equitable access to the coast.
The program’s next step is a review by the California Coastal Commission for a development permit. Approval is also required from the California State Lands Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
“We’re deeply appreciative of the Board’s commitment to protecting our beaches for future generations,” Beaches and Harbors Director Gary Jones said in a statement. “SCOUP gives us a sustainable, natural way to protect our beaches — not just for future generations, but for the communities who depend on them today. It’s a step that balances nature and access.”
Officials said SCOUP is a key part of the county’s Coastal Resilience Initiative that aims to protect beaches “through nature-based solutions and partnerships with regional stakeholders.”
More about the Coastal Resilience Initiative and SCOUP, including the option to sign up for emails about project updates and community engagement opportunities is at beaches.lacounty.gov/coastal-resilience.
