San Clemente dredging set for next week

The USACE Los Angeles District took part in a beachside press conference in San Clemente, California, yesterday.

The event provided project partners the opportunity to announce the anticipated completion of Phase 2 of the initial placement for the beach nourishment project, along with the Department of Transportation’s $100-million grant for the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study.

U.S. Rep. Mike Levin led the press conference, and invited leaders from the City of San Clemente, Orange County Transportation Authority and USACE to speak during the event.

“Last spring, we were able to dredge 227,000 cubic yards of beach-quality material, placing more than 114,000 cubic yards of sand on the shoreline right before Memorial Day weekend,” said Col. Andrew Baker, LA District commander, at the press conference.

“If it wasn’t for the close partnership and coordination between the Corps of Engineers and the City of San Clemente and the sheer determination of everyone involved, we wouldn’t be here today.”

Installation of the submerged pipeline was well underway by the time the press conference started, and dredging is expected to start November 6.

Sand placement is anticipated to take 22 days.