Posted on August 18, 2025
Los Angeles County supervisors have unanimously approved a program that will reuse sand from construction and dredging projects to fortify eroding beaches as part of an ongoing effort to mitigate climate change impacts along the local coastline.
The Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program, known as SCOUP, will allow the county’s Department of Beaches and Harbors to bypass lengthy permitting processes for small beach nourishment projects, potentially diverting sand that would otherwise end up in landfills back to the beach.
“The diminishing amount of sand on our beaches is one of the many negative factors of climate change impacting our shoreline,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, whose district includes three of the targeted beaches. “SCOUP helps the County address this challenge with cost-effective, nature-based solutions.”
The program targets five beaches: Zuma Beach in Malibu, Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. These sites were selected based on erosion risk, threats to public infrastructure and their popularity among diverse communities.
According to the County, climate change has accelerated coastal erosion along the Los Angeles County shoreline through higher sea levels and stronger storms that wash away sand faster than natural processes can replace it. The problem is compounded by human-made barriers like dams that block sediment flow and sea walls that alter wave patterns.
“When we act urgently, we make sure our coast remains open to everyone for years to come,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents Malibu. “Los Angeles County is leading the way to protect our coastline using innovative strategies that address multiple challenges at once.”
Under SCOUP, beach-quality sand left over from development projects, harbor dredging and flood control maintenance can be used to restore beaches that officials said serve as critical buffers protecting roads, buildings and public spaces from ocean surge.
The program still requires approval from several regulatory agencies, including the California Coastal Commission for a coastal development permit, the California State Lands Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Gary Jones, director of the Department of Beaches and Harbors, called the approval “a sustainable, natural way to protect our beaches—not just for future generations, but for the communities who depend on them today.”
Officials said the project is needed because as beaches shrink due to accelerated erosion, the natural barriers that protect valuable public infrastructure become less effective. Sea walls built to protect beachfront properties can actually worsen erosion by changing how waves interact with the shore.
In approving the program, the County said it aligns with existing environmental goals while streamlining efforts to preserve the beaches as both an economic and cultural resource.
County officials emphasized that the targeted beaches serve diverse communities and that preserving coastal access remains a priority.
More information about the county’s coastal resilience efforts and community engagement opportunities is available at beaches.lacounty.gov/coastal-resilience.
