Protect the beach at Miramar, Oppose Shoreline Armoring

Join the San Mateo County Chapter of Surfrider Foundation in urging the California Coastal Commission to deny the current proposal by San Mateo County Department of Public Works (DPW) to replace the Mirada Road coastal trail bridge at the same location over Arroyo de en Medio Creek along with increased coastal Armoring. Surfrider greatly supports public access to and along the coast – but we must not destroy the very coast that we wish to visit and walk along. When we choose to armor a coastal trail instead of relocating it, we jeopardize the very purpose of access: enjoying our natural resources and natural shoreline processes.

Given the directives of the California Coastal Commission regarding armoring along this stretch of coast, as well as the short life span of a replacement in this location, this proposal isn’t cost-effective nor is it in keeping with best practices and policy guidance to address sea level rise.

Moving the trail inland is a better long-term solution in terms of cost and in terms of benefit to our beaches and coastline. Coastal armoring has consistently been shown to increase bluff erosion and loss of our beaches, and is inconsistent with California Coastal Act policies. Additionally, proceeding to move the bridge and coastal trail inland sooner rather than later also avoids greater complications in terms of more substantial disruption and possibly more property stakeholders in future years.

The Chapter strongly encourages Coastal Commissioners to adhere to the sea level rise adaptation policy guidance and prior planning and permitting decisions that call for wise adaptation decisions now in order to preserve as much of our coastal resources as possible over the coming decades. Wise planning that will preserve our coast now and into the future requires us to make difficult decisions today.

If you would like to help the chapter in opposing this project coming before the Coastal Commission on May 14 please contact policy@smc.surfrider.org.