Sediment Master Plan

Mission Statement

To identify and prioritize regional sediment management needs and opportunities along the California coast, provide this information to resource managers and the general public to assist in addressing coastal sediment management issues, and develop strategies to streamline sediment management activities. Such issues may include coastal erosion, recreational opportunities, dredging, and sediment flow through coastal watersheds.

Overview

The California Coastal Sediment Management Master Plan (“Sediment Master Plan” or “SMP”) is an ongoing, collaborative effort by CSMW to evaluate California's coastal sediment management needs and promote regional, system-wide solutions. This integrated approach to sediment management enables agencies to work together to leverage financial and intellectual resources.

By developing spatial tools, informational documents, integrated planning and outreach, the Sediment Master Plan will provide coastal managers with information needed to address coastal erosion and excess sediment problems through beneficial reuse of sediment. Program goals will be achieved by:

• increasing agency and project coordination;
• compiling existing information related to coastal sediment management;
• making spatial data available through web-based mapping and geographic information system products;
• holding public meetings to identify needs and opportunities;
• developing governance and technical solutions appropriate for individual regions;
• proposing more consistent regulations, legislation and policies.

Information on specific sediment management aides is available through the hyperlinks to your right. The SMP Status Report 2006 is the first in a series of biannual reports, and describes CSMWs past, current and future efforts. The SMP is currently being implemented through a series of region-specific Coastal RSM Plans being prepared by appropriate regional entities with oversight and assistance from CSMW. Our informational brochure, Why a SMP is Needed, describes the sediment imbalance problem and how regional sediment management can provide solutions.

Examples of assistance to Coastal managers from components of the SMP could include:

• identifying and prioritizing sediment-related projects;
• navigating though environmental and regulatory review;
• developing opportunistic sand programs;
• developing Environmental Impact Statements and Assessments; and
• developing governance needed for effective implementation of sediment management programs.