Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plans
In order to implement Sediment Master Plan (SMP) objectives, CSMW developed their Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan ("Coastal RSM Plan" or "Plan") program by focusing on regional strategies to manage sediment imbalances specific to discrete portions of the California coast. Local and regional government sponsorship is essential to this effort in order to develop consensus on how best to address coastal erosion through beneficial reuse of available sediment, and to maintain that regional focus during Plan implementation.
The Coastal RSM Plan program is intended to formulate regional consensus-driven sediment management policy and guidance in order to:
- restore, preserve and maintain coastal beaches and other critical areas of sediment deficit;
- sustain recreation and tourism;
- enhance public safety and access;
- restore coastal sandy habitats; and
- Identify cost-effective solutions for restoration of areas impacted by excess sediment.
Preparation of Coastal RSM Plans for the various regions across coastal California and their subsequent implementation culminates CSMWs Sediment Master Plan. Based on findings from its outreach program, including technical workshops and meetings, CSMW began development of the SMP through the identification and preparation of computer-based tools, educational documents and RSM strategies designed to help address issues expected to arise during implementation of RSM. These tools, documents and strategies are all available on this website. Early stakeholder input indicated that significant differences between regions would require region-specific strategies to holistically resolve sediment imbalance issues; CSMW therefore began working with regional partners to complete Coastal RSM Plans for specific portions of the coast.
To date, CSMW and their various regional partners have completed three Coastal RSM Plans, using criteria prepared by CSMW as a starting point. Each Coastal RSM Plan contains Governance, Outreach, Physical, Economic and Environmental elements. Plans for six additional segments of the California coastline are either under preparation or will be in the near future. These coastal segments, CSMWs regional partners and Plan status include:
- 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 - The County of Orange, Parks Department is currently preparing their Plan, covering the littoral cells within Orange County
- Eureka Littoral Cell - The Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District is currently preparing their Plan, covering the area from Trinidad Head south to False Cape
- Los Angeles County - CSMW is working with a consultant to gather data and help assemble the governance structure for the coastal area within LA County
- San Francisco Central Bay - The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is initiating Plan preparation for the central SF Bay to the Golden Gate
- San Francisco Littoral Cell - CSMW is investigating potential regional partners to establish a governance structure covering the coastline from the Golden Gate to Pacifica
- Santa Cruz Littoral Cell - AMBAG will prepare a Plan for the stretch of coastline from Santa Cruz to Moss Landing when funds have been obtained