Posted on August 20, 2025
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Two South Bay beaches could be getting more sand as part of a Los Angeles County program that seeks to combat coastal erosion attributed to climate change.
The Sand Compatibility & Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) would take sand sources generated through other means, such as land development projects and dredging, that would otherwise be placed in a landfill, and repurpose them.
Cities such as Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach would be among five sites to receive sand as part of SCOUP, according to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The other sites would be Zuma Beach, Will Rogers State Beach and Dockweiler State Beach.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted last week to move forward with the project. It now faces a review by the California Coastal Commission, which, if approved, will grant the county a coastal development permit. The project will also require approval by the California State Lands Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board, according to county officials.
“Our coastline is beloved by our community—a place where Angelenos gather, cool off, and enjoy the outdoors,” County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents Malibu as part of the Third District, said in a statement Wednesday, Aug. 13. “Los Angeles County is leading the way to protect our coastline using innovative strategies that address multiple challenges at once.”
Sand in these coastal areas has been diminishing due to coastal erosion and climate change, according to county officials. Although erosion is a natural process, climate change has been exacerbating the issue, causing higher sea levels and stronger storms that wash away sand at faster rates.
As sand begins to disappear faster than new sediments arrive, the beaches shrink, according to county officials. It’s necessary to mitigate the issue, as sand acts as a natural buffer that protects public infrastructure and spaces from the ocean, officials said.
The beaches that will benefit from this project were chosen based on several criteria, according to county officials, including flood risk, effects from coastal erosion, recreational and economic benefits and risk posed to public infrastructures and amenities.
“By creatively tackling one problem—like reducing sediment in reservoirs—we can also protect our communities from sea level rise,” Horvath said. “This kind of integrated thinking helps build a stronger, more resilient future. When we act urgently, we make sure our coast remains open to everyone for years to come.”
