Broad Beach Erosion

In June of 2009 the Surfrider Foundation met with a rep from the Trancas Homeowners group to discuss existing erosion problems and discuss possible solutions.   At that time, it was made perfectly clear that any proposal including permanent hard structures – either above ground, below ground, or located offshore – would not be supported by the Surfrider Foundation.    We understand that landward retreat is not a feasible solution at Broad Beach.   Therefore, beach nourishment projects should be considered as a viable alternative for short-term beach preservation.    Surfrider Foundation’s position is clear – under no circumstances does the Surfrider Foundation support the installation of stabilization or sand retention structures along the coastline.   Such structures can protect existing coastline development but have no place in beach preservation.

Broad Beach history:

• Summer 2005, Broad Beach homeowners illegally bulldozed sand from the  public portion of the beach onto their private property.
• June 28, 2005 – Malibu Chapter held a protest at Broad Beach – see attached Media Alert.
• August 12th, 2005 -  the California Coastal Commission issued a cease and desist against the Trancas Property Owner’s Association,  ordering an end to the posting of no trespassing or private property signs and the use of security guards on ATVs who often intimidated  visitors.
• Feb 2009 – Malibu Times article re: public complaints on sand bags at Broad Beach
• June 2, 2009 – Surfrider Foundation reps met with a Trancas Homeowner rep to discuss the situation.   We made it clear at that time that any plans to put in a permanent hard structure, either below or above the sand or even offshore… would not be supported by Surfrider Foundation.

Below is taken directly from Surfrider’s position on Beach Preservation:

In areas where erosion threatens existing coastal development, the Surfrider Foundation advocates appropriate long-term solutions that maximize public benefit. These include:

• Landward retreat of structures from dynamic shorelines

Where landward retreat is not feasible, beach nourishment** projects may be considered, on a case by case basis, as viable alternatives for short-term beach preservation.

Under no circumstances does the Surfrider Foundation support the installation of stabilization or sand retention structures along the coastline. Such structures can protect existing coastline development but have no place in beach preservation.

Additional information:

Broad Beach in the L.A. Times – http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-broad-beach2-2010feb02,0,369064.story?track=rss