Ocean & Shoreline Issues
Surfers' Beach Erosion
Construction of the Pillar Point Harbor breakwater in 1960 dramatically increased the rate of erosion south of the jetty, taking away the beach, the bluff, most of Mirada Rd and threatening the highway. Surfers' Beach page.
2021 slide presentation: Surfers' Beach & Miramar Shoreline Erosion & Armoring
Pillar Point Harbor Shoreline area protection & enhancement Study
In 2021 SMC Flood & Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) initiated a study to define a comprehensive shoreline management approach for the area from Mavericks Beach at Pillar Point to the Mirada Rd bridge in Miramar, focused on addressing the impacts of erosion and sea level rise in the long term, taking into account 6 ft of sea level rise and accelerating shoreline erosion rates. Consulting firm ESA (Bob Battalio) was engaged to utilize the work of previous studies to develop a holistic approach to the shoreline in terms of threats, timescale, and geography. 5/17/2023 presentation on Phase 1, Initial Visioning, to the Harbor Commission by Bob Battalio of ESA, for OneShoreline (video at 54 min). The concepts proposed, involving modifications of the breakwaters, were not well-received by the Harbor District Manager and Commission, and OneShoreline has dropped the project.
Mirada Road & Bridge
Inevitable deterioration of rock slope protection along Mirada Rd from wave action is ongoing. The Coastal Trail bridge across Arroyo de en Medio was closed as unsafe July 27, 2020. A new bridge in the same location with more coastal armoring opened to the public October 26, 2023.
See Mirada Road & Bridge page.
West Trail Living Shoreline Project
Popular recreation area and essential emergency access to the west breakwater, the trail is threatened by erosion.
Princeton Shoreline Management Plan
See Princeton Shoreline page
8/30/19 County memo & attachments & 2/4/20 CCC reply
5/29/13 Pillar Point Harbor Shoreline Erosion presentation
Shoreline Erosion & Armoring
Midcoast shoreline erosion & armoring slide presentations: Montara State Beach 2022, Moss Beach 2022, Surfers’ Beach & Miramar 2021
Coastside Sea Rise & Erosion Forum May 2016: Agenda, Video, presentations: Dan Hoover, USGS - James Zoulas, USACE - Bob Battalio, ESA
2016 El Niño Coastal Erosion in the Midcoast
No Day at the Beach: Sea Level Rise, Ecosystem Loss, and Public Access Along the California Coast. 2007
California's Retreating Coastline: Where Do We Go From Here? 2005
Impacts of Coastal Protection Structures in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2005
Sea Level Rise (SLR)
Who Owns the Beach? Understanding the Public Trust Doctrine (slide presentation)
Public Trust Guiding Principles and Action Plan, CCC May 2023: Carrying out the California Coastal Act and Public Trust Doctrine in an era of climate change and sea level rise.
Half Moon Bay Shoreline Hazard Policies (Ch. 7 of 2021 LCP Land Use Plan) follow CCC guidance. Compare to County LCP policies in Ch. 9 Hazards Component which have not been updated.
San Mateo County SLR Vulnerability Assessment: North Coast & Bayside 2018 report & appendices; Pillar Point Harbor 2018; South Coast 2022. Asset vulnerability profiles for: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve — Mirada Rd — Surfers’ Beach — HMB landfill — SAM sewer plant.
Websites:
One Shoreline (San Mateo County Flood & SLR Resiliency District)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Tsunami
San Mateo County tsunami hazard area map updated 2021.
MCC 9/26/18 letter requesting updated tsunami inundation map in General Plan
MCC 5/25/16 letter requesting up-to-date Midcoast tsunami evacuation signs/route
Coastside Tsunami Preparedness Report June 2012
Coastal Regional Sediment (sand) Management Plans
Construction of sea walls, jetties, and other development along California’s north-central coast have interrupted the natural flow of sediment, and the effects of climate change (rising sea levels and greater storm intensity) increasingly impact the shoreline. The Sediment in the Sanctuary program was born out of the growing need to identify and adapt to these impacts and vulnerabilities.
2019 Greater Farallone National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) Coastal Resilience Sediment Plan
2015 Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan for Santa Cruz Littoral Cell (Pillar Point to Moss Landing); 7-page excerpt covers just Pillar Point and Surfers' Beach area.
Related Resources:
Beach Water Quality Advisories (sign up for email updates)
California Coastal Records Project, an aerial photographic survey
Marine Protected Areas brochure: Montara & Pillar Point
California Seafloor Mapping Program
Coastal Web Cams - list of links