The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) has received $500,000 in Measure A funding to advance the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project, a multiagency initiative to restore coastal habitat and improve public access at Topanga Beach.
The project is led by RCDSMM in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), California State Parks, and Caltrans. Topanga Beach draws nearly one million visitors annually but has faced two decades of challenges from coastal erosion, aging infrastructure, and damage from the 2025 Palisades Fire.
Planned improvements include erosion and sea-level rise mitigation, an FAA-approved helipad for emergency response, upgraded transit stops and parking, and a one-acre expansion of usable beach.
"This investment advances the long-term resilience of our coastline, expands access to nature and recreation for our communities, and protects vital ecosystems as we confront the climate crisis," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
"Topanga Beach is one of our most visited stretches of coastline, and projects like this are essential to keeping them safe and accessible for the public," said Warren Ontiveros, deputy director of the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
The funding will support design and engineering work, moving the project closer to construction. The broader effort will also protect the Pacific Coast Highway from storm damage and integrate improvements within lower Topanga State Park.
Measure A was approved by nearly 75% of LA County voters in 2016. This latest funding round will distribute more than $78 million to 48 organizations across the region.
Edited by SMDP Staff