The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted at its Tuesday, June 4 meeting to approve actions that will bring approximately 30,000 cubic yards of sand to North Beach. The decision also suspends the city's Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) for an estimated two years, redirecting its funding to the immediate sand replenishment effort.
City Manager Andy Hall informed the council that this opportunity emerged the previous night and required a rapid decision to proceed. He stated that the city needed to "pull the trigger, literally tomorrow, on an RFP" (Request for Proposal) to initiate the project quickly. The sand, previously identified by Orange County Parks as available, is expected to begin placement as early as late June, with construction activities lasting around 70 days.
To fund the transportation costs, estimated at $1.38 million—or $42 per cubic yard of sand—the council allocated over $800,000 from the city’s remaining sand account and over $500,000 previously designated for SCOUP. These combined amounts are sufficient to cover the transportation, but put the SCOUP program on hold.
Construction work for the sand placement will occur Mondays through Thursdays, involving 40 trucks daily. The California Coastal Commission (CCC) will not permit activities on weekends. Hall explained that all the sand would be placed above the mean high tide line because the project is proceeding under a waiver. This approach avoids the lengthy permit process that would otherwise be required from the California State Lands Commission for any work below that line. City officials had previously surveyed North Beach and determined it possesses sufficient space to accommodate the new sand.
Hall highlighted the broader context of these efforts, noting that the California Coastal Commission recognizes the urgent need for sand on San Clemente’s beaches "as quickly as possible" due, in part, to ongoing activities involving the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the city. He added that the CCC is willing to consider waivers and allow the city to bypass some bureaucratic environmental processes to expedite sand placement.
While San Clemente is currently responsible for the $1.38 million payment, city officials are actively seeking assistance. Hall indicated that the city is asking the CCC to help cover the cost as mitigation for OCTA’s project at Cyprus Shores. He mentioned that the CCC acknowledges the city’s tight budget and the significant financial burden this project represents. "We’re hopeful that that will work out," Hall said regarding the request for funding assistance.
Looking ahead, Hall also spoke of a potential opportunity for an additional 40,000 to 45,000 cubic yards of sand to be transferred from Huntington State Beach to Calafia Beach. City officials are hopeful that OCTA would also incorporate this project under its mitigation obligations. Should that not materialize, the city plans to continue exploring other funding alternatives.
During the council discussion, members acknowledged the immediate need for sand but also voiced individual concerns. Mayor Victor Cabral strongly supported the new initiative, arguing that proceeding with SCOUP would leave the city without the necessary funds to deliver sand to its beaches, making the current project the "better option." He also expressed belief that the SCOUP delay would not last the full two years.
Councilmember Steve Knoblock raised concerns about pausing an active endeavor like SCOUP. He questioned whether the city could utilize rollover funding from its current or future unassigned fund balance instead. Hall reassured Knoblock that the city would aim to re-engage SCOUP by shifting available funds in the future, acknowledging that the current method of funding is not sustainable long-term.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Enmeier praised Hall’s efforts, noting his ability to find solutions, but also described the city’s financial path as untenable. Enmeier cautioned the community, stating that "we’re going to run out of rabbits" without additional community solutions for funding, emphasizing that the current path was not sustainable.
