The project includes public access pathways, low-profile fencing, and monitoring to protect against sea level rise
The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a plan Thursday to restore 38.5 acres of native dune habitat along Santa Monica State Beach, advancing efforts to boost coastal resilience and biodiversity, the commission announced.
The 10-0 vote, following a contentious public hearing in Fort Bragg, greenlit a five-year permit for the City of Santa Monica and The Bay Foundation’s Phase 3 living shoreline project, according to commission records. Spanning 3 miles from Will Rogers State Beach to Venice Beach, the initiative will create foredune and back dune habitats using native plants like beach evening primrose and red sand verbena, building on prior phases that restored 8.25 acres and supported species like the western snowy plover.
The project includes public access pathways, low-profile fencing, and monitoring to protect against sea level rise and erosion while preserving shoreline access, per the commission’s staff report. It avoids major recreational areas like volleyball courts and the Santa Monica Pier, maintaining 25-foot-wide access corridors. Conditions include a detailed dune habitat plan and measures to ensure public access.
Public concerns about wildlife, fire risks, and access for seniors were addressed, with no evidence from earlier phases of increased pests or restricted access, the report noted. Supported by Heal the Bay and Surfrider Foundation, the project aligns with Santa Monica’s 2019 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to combat coastal flooding.
