Join Surfrider and help protect the ocean, waves and beaches for all people

Beach Preservation

TAKE ACTION

ASK CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL TO SAVE THE BEACH AT LAS ENCINAS CREEK

On Tuesday, June 20, the Carlsbad City Council will select a preferred design for a new roadway to replace southbound Carlsbad Blvd. at Las Encinas Creek, also referred to as 'dip in the road.' The decision marks the first step in an important project that, if carried out to completion, will move a threatened roadway out of harm’s way while creating a climate-resilient public beach in place of one that is narrow and rapidly eroding.

If you believe in proactive planning to ensure our beaches have a future in light of sea level rise and erosion, please consider sending a quick email comment to ask the Carlsbad City Council to prioritize this project. Check out our recent blog post for details.

SUBMIT A WRITTEN COMMENT

(email clerk@carlsbadca.gov if button does not work.)

Subject Line: Comments on Item #15, June 20 City Council 

Body of Email: see below for suggestions

Emails must be submitted by 2pm tomorrow, June 20

Suggested Talking Points

• If you are a Carlsbad resident or frequent Carlsbad's beaches, please say so.
• Thank you for your leadership on this important coastal adaptation project.
• Regardless of which roadway design option you choose, please prioritize removing the old southbound Carlsbad Blvd. roadway once the new one is constructed. This is the only way to restore the beach at Las Encinas Creek and preserve it for future generations.
• Please direct staff to estimate the cost of the entire project, including removal of the existing roadway and implementation of nature-based beach preservation measures in its place. Examples of these measures are described under the "Retreat Now" scenario in GHD's Las Encinas Creek Restoration Alternatives Analysis, which was completed as part of the same state Coastal Conservancy grant that funded the new roadway designs. 
• While leaving the existing roadway in place may be cheaper and easier in the short-term, it will ultimately be costly and self-defeating to continue protecting a road that already floods and will suffer more damage and inundation as sea levels rise. 
• Sadly, the beach in this area is already inaccessible and dangerous during high tides due to the rock shoreline protection that was placed on the beach to protect the road. We want beaches with safe access and towel space, not rock revetments. 
• A protected bike and pedestrian lane can be put anywhere, but a beach cannot. Preserving coastal resources, and our access to them, is of paramount concern. 
• Since staff is not asking for any further City Council action at this time,  please make a motion to have them return to you for direction on the timing of retreat by April 2024.

(You can also email clerk@carlsbadca.gov)

ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING

We encourage members of the public to attend the City Council meeting and make an in-person comment, especially Carlsbad residents. The City Council agenda can be found HERE, the meeting starts at 5pm and this will be the last item (agenda #15). Members of the public receive 3 minutes to speak, occasionally  less if there are many speakers. If you would like to speak, you must submit a written speaker request card anytime before the item begins (more info HERE). Please reply to this email if you have any questions!