The California Coastal Commission (CCC) at their Feb 12, 2021, meeting approved the Coastal Development Permit authorizing construction of approximately 300 feet of living shoreline and stormwater/drainage improvements along Pillar Point Harbor West Trail. The popular recreation area and essential emergency access to the west breakwater has been threatened with closure due to erosion since 2011.
The CCC staff report calls this a “win-win for the public and coastal resources … an important project, not only for the Pillar Point Harbor area and its users and habitats, but also for the Commission, where the promise of living shorelines can be put to the test, and where lessons learned here can be applied elsewhere along the California coast.”
The natural shoreline component is designed to protect the trail from chronic erosion using nature-based design techniques -- cobble berm and rock fingers, topped with a re-created sandy beach using harbor dredge material, and vegetated back dunes.
The stormwater component will improve the aesthetics, function and maintenance needs of the existing storm drain system by re-routing runoff into a biofiltration area west of the trail to an alternate outlet into the marsh.
Project plans & images
Construction by the Harbor District, which owns the West Trail, is expected to occur over 4 months beginning in spring 2021, followed by native planting of dune & biofiltration basin in the fall. There will be 5 years of physical and biological monitoring.
Learn more about Midcoast shoreline management planning and projects:
Pillar Point Harbor -- Princeton Shoreline -- Surfers’ Beach --
Mirada Road & Bridge
