Seawall Construction on Borrowed Time

The "emergency" revetment that is slated to be built along Martin's Beach was reprieved recently, with the California Coastal Commission and County of San Mateo granting the applicants/owners an extension on the construction deadline.

Although the permit for construction of the "emergency" revetment was issued by the County and Coastal Commission, both agencies required that:
1. the construction of the emergency revetment be completed by July 20, 2013
2. an application for a regular Coastal Development Permit for the revetment be filed by July 28, 2013
3. the emergency revetment would be removed on or before July 28, 2014 if a regular Coastal Development Permit was not issued by that time.

The property owner's attorney wrote both agencies to obtain an extension on these deadlines, arguing that the agencies' actions and conditions caused delay.  Hence, the County and Commission have changed the deadlines to:
1. the construction of the emergency revetment be completed by October 3, 2013
2. an application for a regular Coastal Development Permit for the revetment be filed by September 30, 2013
3. the removal date (July 28, 2014) remains unchanged

Thus, construction of the emergency revetment will be starting any day now.



Here's to hoping the revetment doesn't cause beach loss or serve as a foot in the door for a permanent wall to protect some future unknown development.







What can you do?

• Help us keep tabs on construction and timing.

• Join our Action Alert system so we can alert you of future opportunities to take action (such as when the Coastal Development Permits are considered by the County and Coastal Commission).