By Keith Etchells, SCS Engineers
California’s beaches are vanishing. Rising seas, stronger storms, and the effects of urban development are accelerating coastal erosion. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, up to 75% of Southern California’s beaches could disappear by 2100 (University of California – “Why California’s beaches are shrinking”).
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan (2009) identifieda need for 30 million cubic yards of sand over 50 years to restore and maintain local beaches in San Diego alone. The plan has triggered a growing “sand war” between cities, neighbors, and developers competing to access a diminishing resource.
In response, many cities have launched sand replenishment programs to stabilize shorelines and protect infrastructure and tourism. For those looking to preserve or restore their beaches, programs like the Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) offer an alternative source of sand beyond traditional dredging operations by enabling the use of clean, compatible sediment from development projects. While SCOUP can reduce disposal costs and support long-term coastal sustainability, developers must prepare to navigate a complex regulatory and logistical landscape to realize these benefits.
Navigating the regulatory framework is essential, but often challenging, for developers implementing SCOUP, given the multi-agency oversight and evolving compliance requirements. Sand reuse in California involves regulations at both the federal and state levels. Some agencies with relevant regulations that developers must follow include the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees large-scale nourishment through the Water Resources Development Act, and the State of California, which supports regional sediment reuse through the Sediment Management Master Plan (SMP). Locally, several Southern California cities, including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Imperial Beach, have adopted SCOUP frameworks to expedite environmental review and regulatory approval for smaller-scale nourishment projects. While these jurisdictions offer pre-approved receiver sites and environmental documentation, developers must still coordinate closely with local agencies and meet stringent site-specific requirements.
SCOUP accepts sediment from aquatic sources (like dredging) and terrestrial sources (such as construction/grading projects), provided it meets environmental and geotechnical standards. Developers must initiate the process by completing a detailed Source Material Assessment Checklist, an often-time-consumingstep that requires thorough documentation of grain size, chemistry, site history, and potential contamination risks, the costs of which typically fall on the developer to cover unless the respective city offers cost-sharing options.
Sediment must also pass testing for:
• Grain size compatibility with native beach sand
• Absence of chemical contaminants
• No harm to sensitive ecosystems based on biological assessment
Location of the source material matters for several reasons. Proximity to sites that are already SCOUP-approved improves feasibility. Also, trucking or barging sediment can be costly, and developers should assess transport options to avoid peak tourism and wildlife sensitivity periods.
Seasonal restrictions at receiving sites further limit sediment placement to specific months to protect sensitive habitats and avoid peak recreational use. These timing constraints can complicate scheduling when sediment availability from redevelopment projects does not align with the permitted windows for beach nourishment.
Collaboration is critical, but aligning timelines and expectations with local planners and coastal managers can be complex, especially when sediment availability and project schedules don’t naturally align. Engaging environmental consultants familiar with SCOUP can help navigate the technical and permitting hurdles, though their involvement adds another layer of coordination and cost.
As developers implement projects, maintaining clear testing, assessments, and agency communications records helps to avoid delays and penalties. Of course, compliance with all regulations is non-negotiable. Failure to do so can derail a project.
Developers planning sediment reuse through SCOUP can help protect the coast and support sustainable growth. This effort is important because California’s beaches support the state’s economy, ecosystems, and identity. As erosion intensifies and communities consider various sand replenishment options, developers can play a vital role in preserving California’s public shoreline access, helping ensure these shared coastal spaces remain open, resilient, and accessible to all.
Keith Etchells is a Project Director at SCS Engineers. You can contact him at [email protected].