A massive dredging project is underway along San Diego County beaches in order to replenish the evaporating coastline.
SANDAG, which is coordinating the $28.5 million Regional Beach Sand Project with support from community leaders in the coastal areas, kicked off the project on September 8. Funding comes from the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, and Solana Beach, as well as the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
“People from around the world come to San Diego County to enjoy our world-class surf and beaches, so it’s important that we restore eroded beaches by periodically replenishing them with additional sand, ” said SANDAG Chair and Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks . “ Sand replenishment also benefits shorebirds by providing them with additional sandy beach habitat; and it helps support our local economy, as well as protect public and private infrastructure from high tides and storm damage.”
The project, a 24/7 operation, began in September in Imperial Beach in the southern part of the county and moved north to Oceanside in early October. Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Carlsbad also will receive sand. A total of eight beaches will get sand.
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Press Release, October 16, 2012