Council member urges long-term sand replenishment program to preserve San Clemente beaches

At the San Clemente State of the City luncheon, a city council member said the city must make a new, sustained investment in coastal infrastructure to preserve its beaches. “We have failed for too long, for decades to invest in our coastal infrastructure,” the council member said, calling sand replenishment and restoration a gap in the city’s regular capital budgets.

The council member said the city expects three major coastal projects in the coming decade that will be expensive and require outside funding. The speaker said the council will pursue grants and partnership funding, adding, “The city council will continue to work with the federal, state, and county governments to secure that money.”

Why it matters: San Clemente’s identity and local economy are closely tied to its beaches; the council member framed sand replenishment as essential to keeping San Clemente a beach community. The speech noted the city currently budgets for water, sewer, roads and tree maintenance but does not have a dedicated budget line for sand replenishment or restoration.

What was not decided: The remarks were a policy pitch rather than a formal vote; no specific funding sources, project scopes or timelines were adopted at the luncheon. The council member described the projects as “very expensive” and pledged continued pursuit of external funds.

Next steps: The speaker said the council will continue working with federal, state and county partners and pursue funding opportunities. No ordinance, resolution or specific spending plan was presented at the event.