Sand replenishment, sand retention, nature-based solutions, and coastal erosion requires a multi-modal approach. Sand replenishment/nourishment is needed on our beaches since we are a beach community. The City of San Clemente has had sand nourishment projects that unfortunately washed away as a result of storms. Without sand retention measures in place, there is nothing to maintain sand on our beaches. Currently, the United States Army Corp of Engineers, USACE, placed approximately 125,000 cubic yards of sand from T-Street to Linda Lane. There is a third party that is taking photos and daily measurements of how much sand remains on our beaches from T-Street to Linda Lane. This was a requirement to monitor how much sand remains. They are studying the effectiveness the sand replenishment project. I support Nature-based solutions were applicable. According to Executive Director, Dr. Huckelbridge of the California Coastal Commission, she opined about nature-based solutions . She stated “I think in some of these very hot spot area, it’s probably not realistic to expect that a nature based solution would hold up all by itself, and so we understand the need for kind of a multi component..” I am supportive of working collaboratively with major stakeholders for funding sources to bring sand to our beaches such as: the OCTA, our representatives, the California Coastal Commission, USACE, and others. By working together, we can find short and long-term funding sources for sand replenishment projects. I support the Coastal Advisor of San Clemente to write grants and apply for them such as the $1.5 million dollars that was awarded by the Coastal Commission on July 10, 2024. OCTA Director Foley stated "The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) applied for more than $460 million in combined grant requests from various federal agencies for coastal rail resilience in FY 2023-2024. Anywhere from $70-$145 million of these dollars will directly aid San Clemente's sand nourishment efforts at no additional cost to the City's residents." I am supportive of sand replenishment project such as the Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) to bring sand to our beaches such as the North Beach Sand replenishment project that brought up to 50,000 cubic yards of sand. I am supportive of sand replenishment measures such as emergent breakwaters that will not have a negative impact to our surf since we are a surf town. I am concerned about emergent breakwaters that would negatively impact whale migration and the fishing industry. I support sand retention measures that include Nature-Based solutions like the planting of native plants that help to restore sand on our beaches. I support Environmental Impact Reports that protect the environment and that we abide by State and Federal guidelines under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Currently there are three ongoing studies by: OC Parks, OCTA, and the City of San Clemente. 1) OC Parks are working on the South Orange County Regional Coastal Resilience Strategic Plan to work on a collaboration of major stakeholders to come up with a plan for the 8-mile stretch of coastline from Dana Point to San Clemente. The plan addresses coastal erosion, sand replenishment, sand retention measures including nature based solutions, and the effects of urbanization. Urbanization of land in Orange County by building over of creeks, watersheds, and tributaries for decades has caused a major impact to sand nourishment. These riparian systems once sustained and replenished sand to our local beaches. The natural flow has stopped and/or rerouted the natural flow of sand and sediment causing a sand deficit. In response to the South Orange County Regional Coastal Resilience Strategic Plan, I completed the public survey and submitted an additional public comment on April 2024 (21 pgs.) 2) The OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study (CRRS) is evaluating strategies to protect the railroad for the next 30 years. The OCTA wants to ensure rail operations of passenger and freight while implementing sand replenishment. OCTA is studying the environmental impacts on our shoreline and issues with operations and maintenance of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail. I attended four OCTA Coastal Rail Resiliency Study listening sessions virtually and in public. I submitted public comments during the listening sessions and submitted written public comments. Written comment https://www.octa.net/pdf/CRRS-Public-Meeting-2-Written-Comments-05-30-24.pdf?n=1 I also attended OCTA Board of Director’s meetings and the Regional Transportation Planning Committee on Coastal Rail Resiliency Study Updates and in public comment on August 29, 2024, May 13, 2024, April 8, 2024. Coastal and Marine Habitat CBO’s – Hybrid- Weds., March 20 –10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Video https://youtu.be/3d3WNCdhU_I Residential Groups Weds., April 3 – 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Video https://youtu.be/NeJCQux9dYg Public #1 – Virtual Thurs., April 11 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Video https://youtu.be/J-uMw7IwmgQ View Q & A: PDF https://www.octa.net/pdf/CRRS-Public-Meeting-1-QA-04-11-24.pdf Public #2 – In-Person Thurs., May 30 – 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. San Clemente City Hall Audio: https://youtu.be/JP9Wd13YZRA 3) The City of San Clemente has an ongoing Nature Based Coastal Resiliency Project Feasibility Study to address coastal erosion and to develop coastal resiliency solutions that will help to retain sand on our beaches. The city hired a consultant to design concepts that will help with nourish and retain sand on our beaches. The city will incorporate nature-based solutions like a living shoreline of planting native plants that will help to retain sand on our beaches. Coastal Erosion is a major problem since San Clemente’s land is made up of Capistrano Formation and Monterey Land formation, which is older. These land formations make our land unstable causing landslides such as at Colony Cove and at St Andrews Church. Our city has ancient landslides and ancient fault lines that make landslide prevalent in our town. Another major problem is the amount of ground water that seeps from our coastal bluffs on a continual basis. Heavy rainfalls have caused ground water to be stored on our bluffs causing landslides. For example, the storm of 1993 had a significant impact on Casa Romantica where it caused sink holes and one was at least 6 ft in depth. The storm caused problems with the city’s drains and our Coastal Canyons that destroyed the natural habitat. We have many landslides throughout the decades going back to the 1920’s. Many beaches are experiencing loss of sand, much of this loss is caused by development and construction along the Coast. The development of large-scale residential developments, infrastructure projects, and other programs have permanently affected the flow and movement of sand along California waterways, estuaries, creeks, and rivers. Not only has the source of sand deposits been affected, but the natural flora that worked to support and slow sand movements have been eliminated. This has negatively impacted the local wildlife that has relied on these waterways. I am concerned about sand replenishment measures such as emergent breakwaters that would negatively impact whale migration, the fishing industry, and the surf break. I support sand retention measures that include Nature-Based solutions like the planting of native plants that help to restore sand on our beaches. I support Environmental Impact Reports that protect the environment and that we abide by State and Federal guidelines under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). I have attended all of the Nature Based Coastal Resiliency Study public meetings and provided public comments. I also submitted additional written public comments. I attended the following meetings: Nature-Based Coastal Project Feasibility Study Community Meeting #1 September 27, 2023 at 5:30-8:00 pm in the Council Chambers at San Clemente City Hall. Nature-Based Coastal Project Feasibility Study Community Meeting #2 February 29, 2024 at San Clemente City Hall. Nature-Based Coastal Project Feasibility Study Community Meeting #3 July 18, 2024 at the Coastal Advisory Committee meeting.