North Beach and Area 1 Initial Sand Placement
Summary
SCH Number
2025071151
Public Agency
Orange County Transportation Authority
Document Title
North Beach and Area 1 Initial Sand Placement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/28/2025
Document Description
The railroad embankment in the North Beach area has faced dry beach due to past storms and continuing erosional processes. On July 1, 2025, OCTA approved a project that would place up to 30,000 cubic yards of sand to protect the rail line. The sand placement could be phased over several storm seasons, subject to change as design develops. Sand would come from inland and off shore dredge sites. The sand would be brought in via trucks and by an off shore dredge hopper.
Contact Information
Name
Jim Beil
Agency Name
Orange County Transportation Authority
Job Title
Executive Director, Capital Programs
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Clemente
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
LOSSAN Rail Corridor Mile Post 203.50 to Mile Post 203.83
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15269 (b) and (c)
Reasons for Exemption
The specific activities proposed for this project are covered under CEQA Statutory Exemption 15269(b) and (c). This exemption from CEQA applies to the proposed emergency actions to publicly owned service facilities necessary to maintain essential transportation services to the general public. This exemption allows for emergency repairs that "include those that require a reasonable amount of planning to address and anticipated emergency" and further applies to "specific actions necessary to or mitigate an emergency." The purpose of the emergency action is to reinforce the railroad failing embankment by providing sand to help buffer the rail line from wave actions on the seaward side, which will avoid rail service disruptions and infrastructure damage that would lead to unsafe conditions for rail passengers and freight alike.
County Clerks
Orange, Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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