Coronado City Councilmember Tackles Beach Erosion

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The ongoing beach erosion challenges faced by Coronado, highlighting the need for interventions.

News Summary

Coronado City Councilmember Amy Steward is addressing severe beach erosion exacerbated by storms. Data shows the city has lost 30 feet of sand over the past decade. The SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group is studying solutions, while collaborative efforts and nature-based strategies are considered to combat ongoing challenges, ensuring the city’s beloved beaches are preserved for future generations.

Coronado — Coronado City Councilmember Amy Steward is taking measures to address the alarming erosion of the city’s beaches, experiencing significant sand loss exacerbated by intensified storm impacts. Steward serves as Coronado’s representative on the SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group, which monitors sand levels along San Diego’s beaches firstly established in the 1990s.

Recent data indicates Coronado’s beaches have lost a staggering 30 feet of sand over the past decade and 42 cubic yards in the last year alone. The Tijuana River Valley remains the sole natural source of sediment replenishment for the beaches, and historical efforts have included the expansion of Coronado’s beaches in 1967 through dredged sand from the bay.

The current cost to combat beach erosion in the San Diego region is around $167 million. However, the projected economic benefits from these investments are estimated at $1.38 billion, resulting in a favorable cost/benefit ratio of 8.3. This underscores the critical need for timely action to protect these natural resources.

Ongoing Studies and Community Involvement

The SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group is currently conducting a feasibility study aimed at identifying viable solutions to confront beach erosion and rising sea levels. This study incorporates scientific data from esteemed institutions like the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and NOAA, leveraging research to guide decision-making.

While Coronado did not take part in the initial phases of the sand replenishment study, the city is now involved in the third phase, reflecting a proactive stance toward seeking constructive solutions. Dredging sand from offshore sources costs approximately $15 million, with a limited number of dredges accessible in the San Diego area. The goal of the working group is to increase the number of beaches benefiting from available dredged sand.

Collaborative Solutions and Future Endeavors

Steward has voiced the urgent need for a collaborative regional approach to effectively address beach erosion, as Coronado’s challenges cannot be managed in isolation. South Beach, particularly in front of Coronado Shores, has been acutely affected by erosion, notably during winter storms. This has raised concerns within the community regarding the escalating number of storm surges that displace sand, further aggravating the issue.

In exploring potential solutions for both short- and long-term beach management, Steward is considering nature-based strategies that have proven effective in other locations. One proposal includes the establishment of an artificial reef offshore designed to mitigate the impacts of storm surges on the beaches. Additional initiatives under consideration involve the installation of permeable berms and the restoration of native dune vegetation as protective measures for sand retention. Steward has also engaged with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Vice President of Science and Conservation to discuss sand dune initiatives aimed at maintaining resilient coastlines.

Community Engagement and Public Initiatives

The concerns surrounding beach erosion extend to the Cays at Grand Caribe Shoreline Park. The Port of San Diego has organized public meetings to engage the community on erosion challenges at this location, with a second meeting slated for June to outline potential erosion mitigation plans.

Unfortunately, beaches facing severe erosion risk facing significant ecological and economic repercussions. Steward has repeatedly highlighted the affection that residents have for Coronado’s beaches, emphasizing the essential collaboration required from various stakeholders to ensure the preservation and sustainability of these beloved coastal areas for future generations.