California's Ocean Economy - California Resources Agency - State ...

NOEP
6.3 Beach Nourishment 39
In California, both intense use of coastal resources and near-shore development have
significantly impacted the state’s beaches. Some beaches naturally erode, but many public
beaches erode due to human activities that affect sediment supply. Dams, construction of
harbor structures, coastal armoring, and offshore sand and gravel mining are among the
human activities that impact sediment supply to beaches.
The loss of public beaches will continue without beach restoration efforts.
Environmentally, beach nourishment preserves both certain animal species and threatened
plants by restoring and enhancing habitat. It also provides public safety benefits to residents
and visitors by providing safer access to the water, especially for recreational swimmers and
surfers.
In 2000, a study of the economic benefit of specific beach projects across California was
released by the Department of Boating and Waterways and the State Coastal Conservancy.
A survey was conducted to collect information in the following categories:
• attendance numbers and corresponding methodology used to estimate;
• characteristics and duration of trips;
• recreational activities and amenities involved in trips;
• assessment of coastal protection and estimate of erosion and damages;
• assessment of public infrastructure threatened and likelihood of damages.
A summary of the costs and benefits estimated for a number of beach projects in California
by the California Department of Boating and Waterways is shown in Table 6-5. The data
indicate that there is substantial variation in the benefits and costs of such projects, but that
benefits based on the basis of beach visits and visitor expenditures often substantially exceed
costs.
39.. The process of replenishing a beach by artificial means; e.g., by the depositions of dredged materials, also called beach
replenishment or beach feeding. For this study, we also include additional activities for stabilization of beaches and natural
beach systems.
93