SHELL BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – Recent cliff erosion along the Shell Beach coastline is prompting the City of Pismo Beach to take steps to protect public safety and prepare for potentially stronger winter storms.
A small section of the bluffs located close to the Ocean Boulevard stairway near Eldwayen Ocean Park recently broke off and fell onto the beach below.
Pismo Beach Assistant City Manager Silas Clarke said Tuesday morning the city is closely monitoring the situation and pointed out that more of the bluff will likely continue to break away over time.
"We're watching Mother Nature at work," said Clarke. "This bluff will continue to slough off. This is something we're very cognizant of."
In response, the city is moving forward with plans to remove concrete along the bluff's edge and replace it with a more permeable granite aggregate surface.
The project was already under contract before the latest section of the bluff fell.
Crews will also cut back some of the grass and move the walking area farther away from the edge.
Silas said the goal is to improve drainage, reduce the amount of water collecting near the bluff and discourage people from getting too close to an unstable edge.
"There'll still be a pathway in here," Clarke said. "But again, this bluff will continue to fall off over time."The timing is particularly important as the region approaches a series of king tides in November and December, along with the possibility of a strong El Niño season.
Clarke added the combination of large waves battering the bottom of the bluffs and heavy rainfall saturating the ground above could accelerate erosion and create additional problems for nearby infrastructure.
The city is also looking at ways to protect its stormwater and sewer systems, which are particularly vulnerable in areas where infrastructure runs close to the coastline.
While seawalls can provide protection in certain locations, Clarke added they are extremely expensive and often require state and federal grant funding, and as a result, the city must prioritize areas where the infrastructure is most at risk.
One upcoming project in the works is a new seawall to Dinosaur Caves Park along Ocean Street, with construction expected to begin soon to address damage dating back to 2023.
In the meantime, Pismo Beach officials are urging residents and visitors to stay away from the bluff's edge and pay attention to safety fencing and warning areas.
Pismo Beach is also encouraging residents to prepare for potential flooding and severe weather by visiting ReadySLO.org to sign up for emergency alerts and reverse 911 notifications.
Sandbag stations are also available throughout the area and residents who encounter flooding are encouraged to contact the police department's non-emergency line for assistance.
Clarke also said Pismo Beach will continue monitoring vulnerable coastal areas as winter weather approaches, with public safety and protecting critical infrastructure remaining top priorities.
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