Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plans

Beach Erosion

Stakeholder input from CSMW's outreach program indicates that significant differences between coastal regions require region-specific strategies to resolve sediment imbalance issues within that region. CSMW has therefore been working with various regional partners to complete Coastal RSM Plans for specific portions of the coast, using littoral cells as the minimum planning unit.

Coastal RSM Plans are instrumental in the development of CSMW's Sediment Master Plan. These regional strategies, once compiled, cumulatively form the fabric of the state-wide approach to beneficial use and regional sediment management.

Partnering with regional entities is essential to develop these Plans. They are best situated to develop local consensus on how to address coastal erosion through beneficial use of sediment during implementation of Plan recommendations.

From 2008 through 2018, CSMW and their regional partners completed eleven Coastal RSM Plans. Most of coastal California was covered through these Plans, with the exception of the Big Sur coastline, and Mendocino/southern Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Coastal RSM Plan strategies for RSM policy and guidance are intended to:
  • Provide guidance for local coastal planning agencies dealing with impacts of coastal erosion and sedimentation;
  • Restore, preserve and maintain coastal beaches and other critical areas of sediment deficit;
  • Sustain recreation and tourism;
  • Enhance public safety and access; and
  • Provide potential solutions for areas impacted by excess sediment.
Each Coastal RSM Plan includes:
  • A vetted governance structure to implement recommendations within the Plan;
  • An outreach program to insure participation by most stakeholders and the public;
  • An assessment of physical conditions (erosion, sedimentation, sand transport patterns, etc.) within the Plan boundary;
  • A listing of known potential sediment sources and receiver sites that could benefit from RSM
  • An economic analysis of benefits and costs associated with sediment management within the Plan area;
  • An assessment of sensitive biota and habitats within the Plan area, and;
  • Geospatial data layers depicting the physical and ecological data for inclusion in CSMW's geospatial database.

Please be advised that some of the CSMW documents listed here may not be ADA compliant.  When you click to open a document and see a pop-up window about ADA compliance, please scroll to the bottom of the window, click the "Request Document" button, and enter the document URL and your email address for an immediate reply with the document.

  • Southern Monterey Bay Littoral Cell (24MB) - The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) completed CSMWs first Coastal RSM Plan, extending from Moss Landing south to Point Pinos, in November 2008.
  • Santa Barbara Littoral Cell (3.5MB) - Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) completed their Plan, covering Point Conception south to Point Mugu, in January 2009.
  • San Diego County (7.4MB) - San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) completed their Plan, covering Oceanside south to the Mexico border, in April 2009.
  • Orange County (11MB) - The County of Orange, Parks Department completed their Plan, covering the littoral cells within Orange County, in June 2013.
  • Santa Cruz Littoral Cell (16MB) - The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed a Coastal RSM Plan for the stretch of coast from Half Moon Bay to Moss Landing in 2015. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary partnered in preparing the Plan and hosts a descriptive webpage with access to the Santa Cruz Littoral Cell CRSMP
  • San Francisco Open Coast Littoral Cell – A Coordination Network of jurisdictions was formed to address implementation for this cell, which extends from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pacifica. The report was finalized in 2017. The appendices to the report are available in a separate document here.
  • San Luis Obispo County (11 MB) – The San Luis Obispo Council Of Governments (SLOCOG) completed their Coastal RSM Plan for San Luis Obispo County in 2016.
  • Los Angeles County (18MB) - CSMW worked with a consultant to develop the report and to attempt to assemble an effective governance structure for the coastal area within LA County. A draft Coastal RSM Plan, completed in 2012, was considered as final in 2017.
  • Eureka Littoral Cell - The Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District completed their Plan in 2017. The Plan covered the area from Trinidad Head south to False Cape, including the interior of Humboldt Bay.
  • San Francisco Central Bay - The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) developed a Coastal RSM Plan for the central SF Bay to the Golden Gate. The Report was completed in 2017.
  • Sonoma and Marin Counties - The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary developed a Coastal Regional Sediment Management Report for the coastlines of Sonoma and Marin Counties. The Report was completed in 2018.

Please be advised that some of the CSMW documents listed here may not be ADA compliant.  When you click to open a document and see a pop-up window about ADA compliance, please scroll to the bottom of the window, click the "Request Document" button, and enter the document URL and your email address for an immediate reply with the document.