Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan

CSMW’s Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan (“Coastal RSM Plan” or “Plan”) program implements Sediment Master Plan (SMP) objectives by developing a series of regional Plans specific to discrete portions of the California coast. The Coastal RSM Plans are intended to formulate regional consensus-driven sediment management policy and guidance in order to: restore, preserve and maintain coastal beaches and other critical areas of sediment deficit; sustain recreation and tourism; enhance public safety and access; and, restore coastal sandy habitats. 

CSMW has, through its outreach program, technical workshops and meetings, identified and developed tools and educational documents as part of SMP development. Designed to help address issues expected to arise during implementation of RSM by coastal sediment managers, many of these tools and documents are currently available on this website. Based on significant differences between regions, CSMW has determined that effective implementation of RSM throughout coastal California requires region-specific Coastal RSM Plans. These plans will 1) be based upon region-specific coastal processes, economic, environmental, geographic and societal data, and 2) utilize educational, process, regulatory and informational tools and documents developed by CSMW through the SMP.

Local and regional government is essential in order to find consensus on a regional plan for beneficial reuse of sediment to address coastal erosion. CSMW has enlisted three regional entities to develop Coastal RSM Plans specific to that region, using a Scope of Work prepared by CSMW as a starting point. Each Coastal RSM Plan will contain Governance, Outreach, Physical, Economic and Environmental elements. CSMW will utilize the Plans being developed by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) as prototypes for development of future Coastal RSM Plans in other parts of California. The expected completion date for the three prototype Plans is Summer, 2008.