The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted at its Tuesday, June 4 meeting to authorize actions that will bring approximately 30,000 cubic yards of sand to North Beach. The decision suspends the city’s Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) and allocates over $1.38 million for the urgent sand delivery.
The council voted to pay for the transportation costs of bringing the sand to the city, which total $1.38 million at $42 per yard. This funding will come from the remaining balance in the city’s sand account, amounting to over $800,000, and more than $500,000 previously designated for SCOUP. These allocations will fully cover the transportation expense but will put the pursuit of the SCOUP program out of commission for an estimated two years, according to city officials.
City Manager Andy Hall told the council that this opportunity became available on staff’s desk the previous night, requiring a swift response. Hall stated that a quick decision was necessary to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) immediately and get the project underway. Orange County Parks had previously identified free sand that could be made available to San Clemente, with that possibility recently becoming a reality, Hall said.
Placement of the sand could begin as early as late June and is expected to last around 70 days. Construction activities are planned for Mondays through Thursdays, utilizing 40 trucks daily. The California Coastal Commission (CCC) will not allow activity on weekends, Hall continued. The sand will be placed above the mean high tide line because the project is proceeding under a waiver, and there is insufficient time to obtain a permit from the California State Lands Commission for any activity below that line, Hall explained.
City officials surveyed North Beach and determined the area is large enough to accommodate the sand, leading staff to recommend the council approve the necessary funding allocations. Hall noted that the CCC recognizes the urgent need to get sand on San Clemente’s beaches as quickly as possible, given ongoing situations involving both the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the city. The CCC is also willing to consider waivers, allowing the city to bypass standard bureaucratic environmental processes to facilitate the sand placement.
While San Clemente is responsible for the payment, city officials emphasized the importance of not missing this opportunity. Hall mentioned that the city is asking the CCC for financial assistance to cover the cost, framing it as mitigation for OCTA’s project at Cyprus Shores. He stated the CCC recognizes the city’s tight budget and the financial burden this project places on the community. Hall expressed hope that this funding arrangement would work out, adding that the city would continue to pursue this support.
Beyond the immediate North Beach project, Hall also spoke about an opportunity for additional sand, totaling between 40,000 and 45,000 cubic yards. This sand would be sourced from Huntington State Beach and placed at Calafia Beach. City officials hope OCTA will include this project under its mitigation obligations. If that does not materialize, the city plans to continue exploring other funding options.
During the council meeting, members acknowledged the urgency of the situation and the critical need to bring sand to San Clemente’s coastline. However, some councilmembers expressed individual concerns regarding the project and its implications. Mayor Victor Cabral voiced strong support for the new initiative, stating that continuing the pursuit of SCOUP would leave the city without the actual funds needed to deliver sand to its beaches. He believed using the allocated money now was "the better option" and did not anticipate SCOUP would be delayed for the full two years.
In contrast, Councilmember Steve Knoblock expressed concerns about delaying an active endeavor like SCOUP. He questioned whether the city could use rollover funding from its current or future unassigned fund balance instead. Hall reassured Knoblock that the city would seek to shift available funds in the future to re-engage SCOUP, acknowledging that the current method of using funds for such projects is not sustainable long-term.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Enmeier praised Hall’s efforts in securing such opportunities for the community, but he also highlighted that the city’s current approach to funding these projects is untenable. He stressed the need for San Clemente to find additional funding sources, warning that the city would eventually exhaust its options unless the community actively participated in finding solutions.
