Beach erosion in the US is a severe issue, predicted to eliminate nearly half of all sandy beaches within 80 years [REF], driven by rising sea levels, increased storm activity, wave action, and human impacts like coastal development. This process, particularly intense on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, threatens infrastructure, property, and communities, leading to significant economic costs and increased flooding risks. Solutions like nature-based living shorelines, reestablishing wetlands, and community involvement in restoration efforts combat ongoing erosion and protect vulnerable coastal areas. California has a unique program to help.
The Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) offers sustainable sand reuse options in California. This program enables clean, compatible sediment from development projects as an alternative to traditional dredging, though it requires thorough environmental assessments and regulatory compliance. Regulatory and logistical challenges affect implementation: Developers must navigate federal, state, and local regulations, coordinate with multiple agencies, adhere to testing and seasonal restrictions, and manage transportation costs to participate in SCOUP initiatives successfully.
Originally published in California City News, and here to share!
About the Author: Keith Etchells is a professional geologist and hydrogeologist with over 20 years of experience assisting clients in managing environmental risks associated with ownership, transfer, or operation of commercial, industrial, and waste disposal properties. His particular technical expertise involves aspects of groundwater science and engineering relevant to contaminated sites and landfills, including supervision and conduct of subsurface data acquisition, remedial design and implementation, conceptual site model development, aquifer testing, extraction well design, groundwater quality evaluation and treatment, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and contaminated soil and groundwater remediation design. He is responsible for designing analytical, geotechnical, and hydrogeological data collection programs to complete subsurface assessment and remediation. He has prepared subsurface assessment documents, property mitigation plans, vapor intrusion risk assessment documents, soil management plans, aquifer characterization documents, conceptual site models, and groundwater remedial design and implementation documents.
