Sloat Restoration through Managed Retreat

Sloat Restoration through Managed Retreat
This is our original vision for Sloat Restoration - graphic courtesy of PSA and Associates and the Ocean Beach Task Force

Our Vision of Beach Restoration and Preservation

The shorelines of Ocean Beach south of Sloat Blvd and Sharp Park in Pacifica are threatened by rip-rap seawallls and long-term erosion. This blog chronicles our campaign efforts to restore these beaches. Check out the web view of this site to see our proposed solutions and how to help- in the right hand column below. For all the latest about our efforts, see our monthly posts.

We advocate a managed retreat strategy to restore both Ocean Beach south of Sloat and Sharp Park.

At Sloat, our vision involves:

A long-term plan to relocate threatened infrastructure
(including the south of Sloat Great Highway, the two oceanside parking lots and the sewer lines underneath them).

The cleanup of all the rock and rubble littering the beach.

The use of sand dunes as the primary tool to slow erosion.

For Sharp Park, we advocate the decommissioning of the golf course, the removal of the rip-rap berm, and a full restoration of the wetland.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The 2017 Campaign In Review

Excellent surf has graced the Sloat shoreline this month.
Dear Surfriders,

In 2017 our Chapter activists and supporters put in a lot time attending meetings, signing petitions and providing comment letters in support of the Local Coastal Plan Amendment (LCP).  The LCP essentially greenlights Sloat restoration and promotes future managed retreat planning for the rest of the Ocean Beach shoreline. We wish to commend everyone that helped with the campaign thus far.

What's next on the roadmap to Restore Sloat?


  • 2018 Near-Term Improvements.  

New temporary parking arrangements for beach access south of Sloat are due to begin construction this year.  A walking/jogging path will be included in the project.


  • Alternatives Analysis Report (AAR)


The AAR is for the long-term restoration / protection project that was outlined in the Ocean Beach Master Plan. The AAR will include a relocation option weighed for the Lake Merced Tunnel.  Surfrider has advocated that the City look into this option as it may bring the most long-term benefits in term of infrastructure security, beach restoration and cost effectiveness.


  • The Conceptual Engineering Report (CER) Phase


Following on the heals of the AAR, a preferred project will be selected. The CER will be the initial engineering specs. for the long-term plan.


  • 2019 Environmental Review: 


By 2019, a period of Environmental Review / CEQA (CA Environmental Quality Act)  determination will begin for the long-term project.

  • 2020 Coastal Commission Permitting

The final stop before construction of the long-term plan will include a Coastal Commission permit application which is due to be heard by 2020.  If all goes well, we can see the a Sloat restoration project break ground in 2021.


That's it. As always, thanks for checking in.

Happy Holidays!

Please consider joining the Surfrider Foundation today and help us reach our goal of raising $500,000 by December 31st!