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State Parks and Agua Hedionda Foundation outline dredging, dune work and volunteer programs for early 2025
Summary
California State Parks and the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation briefed the commission on planned dredging and dune-restoration work, saying permits for an Agua Hedionda dredge should be finalized early 2025, with a 6'07-week dredging window and sand placement on Carlsbad receiver beaches; the foundation described volunteer and oyster-shell erosion-control efforts.
California State Parks and representatives of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation told the Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission on Dec. 5 that dredging and related coastal-restoration activities are expected to resume in early 2025.
Sean Homer, San Diego North Coast Sector Superintendent for California State Parks, said Carlsbad State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach are planned receiver sites for sand from upcoming dredging projects. "Carlsbad State Beach will be a receiver site for that sand. Looks like permits should be finalized very early in '25," Homer said, adding that dredging could begin in January or February 2025, pending permit and contractor schedules.
Homer described park assets (two Carlsbad state beach units, parking lots, two concessions and a campground) and said State Parks is conducting a dune-restoration study at South Carlsbad State Beach where trial plots show sand elevation gains and native vegetation taking hold. He also said State Parks completed a sea-level-rise vulnerability assessment and is studying adaptation strategies, including a feasibility study to redesign a beach-access ramp at South Carlsbad campground.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation director of trails and conservation Larissa Fulmer gave a foundation briefing that covered volunteer programs, the foundation's discovery campus, and dredging history. Fulmer said the last major Agua Hedionda dredge ran Feb. 15'021 to Mar. 27'021 and removed approximately 304,000 cubic yards of sediment; that hydraulically dredged material was placed on multiple Carlsbad receiver beaches. She said Channel Side Water Resources is finalizing permits for the next dredge and that sand placement is planned for the north, middle and south beaches with an anticipated 6'07-week on-water working window.
Commissioners asked for scheduling details and historical context. A commissioner asked when Batiquitos Lagoon was last dredged; State Parks staff said dredging cycles typically occur every three to four years but have sometimes slipped and that the next Batiquitos dredge is anticipated in 2025'026. Staff and foundation representatives said they will forward permit and schedule updates to city staff when available.
Fulmer also described local stewardship activities: oyster-shell "wattles" used as erosion control, routine trail maintenance, weekly volunteer slots and events, and a recent clean-up where volunteers removed fishing line and other debris. She said the foundation hosts year-round volunteer opportunities and provided information for how residents can sign up.
The item was informational; no commission action was required.
