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Resident urges Carlsbad to oppose Coastal Act amendments and seawalls
Summary
Kathleen Steinleburger, a longtime Carlsbad resident and recent Beach Preservation Commission member, urged the subcommittee to research and withdraw support for items K and L on the legislative agenda that she says would allow seawalls and other hard armoring that conflict with the Coastal Act and harm beaches.
Kathleen Steinleburger, introduced as a Carlsbad resident and recent six‑and‑a‑half‑year Beach Preservation Commission member, used the subcommittee’s public-comment period to press the city to reconsider parts of its legislative agenda she said would weaken coastal protections.
Steinleburger said items K and L on the 2024 legislative agenda advocate changes that would “allow for the construction of seawalls and other shoreline protective devices” and would amend definitions in ways that could permit development up to the date of adoption of local coastal program amendments. She argued those steps would “lead to further erosion and destruction of our sandy beaches” and reduce public access and tourism.
She cited the Coastal Act of 1976 and told the panel: “Why does the city of Carlsbad advocate for changes to the Coastal Act to allow for the construction of seawalls and other shoreline protective devices … when this policy would lead to further erosion and destruction of our sandy beaches?”
Why it matters: Steinleburger framed the concern as both an environmental and economic risk — saying seawalls “narrow the beach” and could diminish tourism and revenue — and asked whether these items on the legislative agenda reflect current council priorities or are holdovers from earlier administrations.
What the subcommittee said: The chair thanked Steinleburger and noted the comment would be heard; staff later confirmed the subcommittee has scheduled presentations from California State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife on sand replenishment and beach nourishment at the next meeting to address related questions.
What’s next: Members directed staff to include state agencies in a future briefing so the council can better understand coastal nourishment, lagoon dredging and the limits of local authority before taking further legislative positions.
