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SANDAG preview: Regional Beach Sand Project 3 would be far larger, costlier than prior efforts; phase 1 final report due in August
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Summary
SANDAG told Carlsbad commissioners the feasibility phase for RBSP3 proposes roughly 5.8 million cubic yards of sand across Southern Orange County and San Diego, with estimated planning‑level cost about $260 million and construction not likely before 2030 without major funding commitments.
SANDAG staff updated the Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission on Regional Beach Sand Project 3 on Thursday, describing a three‑phase effort that would combine feasibility, environmental and design work, and construction across a multi‑city littoral cell.
Courtney Becker, a SANDAG project lead, said phase 1 (preliminary planning, feasibility and economic analysis) will be completed in August and that current draft results propose roughly 15 receiver sites from Dana Point north to Imperial Beach. Becker said the San Diego portion alone was about 4.3 million cubic yards of sand, with an additional roughly 1.5 million cubic yards in Orange County — a combined planning‑level total near 5.8 million cubic yards.
Why it matters: The draft report models benefits and costs for a programmatic, regionwide approach to beach nourishment rather than one‑off projects. SANDAG staff said a programmatic approach could streamline permitting and reduce unit costs, but that the proposed scale also makes the program expensive and reliant on state and federal funds.
SANDAG presented three phases: phase 1 (feasibility and benefit‑cost analysis), phase 2 (environmental clearances and engineering design) and phase 3 (construction). Becker said the planning‑level cost estimate for the Southern Orange County and San Diego footprint is approximately $260 million, recognizing contingency and inflation while noting the estimate will change as scoping and design advance.
Becker emphasized several lessons learned from past regional projects: use coarser, more durable sand where feasible; prefer longer, narrower placement footprints that persist longer; develop a programmatic rather than ad hoc permitting approach; and examine options to reduce expensive dredge mobilization, including a possible West Coast dedicated dredge.
Funding and timeline: SANDAG staff said they have applied to the state Division of Boating and Waterways for phase‑2 funding and are pursuing Army Corps of Engineers engagement to expand federal coastal projects to cover more of the proposed area. Becker said the earliest realistic construction window, assuming timely state/federal funding and permitting, could be near 2030; much depends on funding and environmental review.
Local commitments: City of Carlsbad staff told the commission that the council approved an MOU with SANDAG on May 9, 2023, and committed $64,677 (from grant funds) toward the phase‑1 work. Earlier regional projects placed sand on Carlsbad beaches; Carlsbad received about 350,000 cubic yards during RBSP2, SANDAG staff noted.
Commissioners probed the economic analysis and asked about benefit calculations; Becker said the consultant’s approach uses recreational value metrics (informally described in the presentation as ‘‘towel space’’) to estimate recreation-related benefits. Becker said comments received during a public review period are being addressed and that a final phase‑1 report is scheduled for August.
Ending: SANDAG said it will continue pursuing grants, federal coordination with the Army Corps, and stakeholder input as it finalizes the phase‑1 report. The commission asked staff to continue bringing RBSP3 updates as the report and funding opportunities evolve.
