Pillar Point Harbor West Trail erosion protection design alternatives were considered by SMC Harbor Commissioners at their 9/7/2016 meeting.  Despite their consultant’s (GHD) proposed preference of riprap (rock armoring), the Commissioners unanimously chose beach nourishment and shotcrete soil-nail wall which would be sculpted/colored to mimic on-site bedrock. Despite a higher initial cost, the Commissioners responded to public and CCC staff input for softer more natural aesthetic solutions.  MCC letter & slide presentation – public comment on alternatives report

Nearby examples of sculpted/colored shotcrete are along Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide, and over Highway 92.  Examples of shoreline installations are at Lands End in Pacifica and Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz.  

Erosion caused the West Trail to be partially roped off from late 2011 to early 2016 when a partial emergency fix was constructed around a drainage culvert.  Finalization of that emergency permit requires application to the Coastal Commission for a regular Coastal Development Permit for the 300-foot eroded segment of shoreline.