PRESS RELEASE
August 3, 2005
Meeting Focuses on Technologies and Techniques for Protecting San Diego County’s Coastline
Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors, today convened some of the nation’s leading experts on beach erosion to discuss ways to slow erosion on area beaches and, where possible, reverse the effects of erosion by implementing sand replenishment projects. During the conference, the board heard engineers, policy makers, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs share their ideas for maintaining a coastline that has made San Diego famous.
"Erosion along our coasts is an immense problem that touches a variety of issues such as the environment, the economy, recreation, property rights, and quality of life,” said Supervisor Slater-Price. “Protecting our beaches has been one of my top priorities since I was first elected. Today’s conference is an important first step toward developing a regional policy on sand replenishment.”
Among those testifying was Kenneth Christensen, President of EcoShore International, Inc., who created a patented a system that uses permeable drain tubes installed vertically into the beach to control erosion. The tubes initiate a complex process that makes sand less likely to be washed back into the sea. When waves leave more sand on the beach than they take back into the water, the beach eventually builds up. A test of the system is presently taking place in Denmark. Other speakers offered their expertise on the scientific, political and funding aspects of beach erosion and sand replenishment.
Today’s conference was cosponsored by both the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast). Slater-Price is a member of SANDAG’s Shoreline Preservation Working Group. She is also chairwoman of CalCoast’s board of directors. CalCoast is a non-profit advocacy group committed to restoring California's coast through sand replenishment, increasing the flow of natural sediment, wetlands recovery, and improved water quality.
This is the chairwoman’s second board conference. Her first, held in April, focused on regional transportation issues. Supervisor Slater-Price represents the Third Supervisorial District.
