Los Angeles County will invest $5.1 million in nature-based coastal protection projects at three popular beaches marking a significant step toward safeguarding the coastline against rising seas and climate change impacts.
The funding from Measure A will advance "living shoreline" projects at Dockweiler, Zuma and Redondo beaches through their next planning and design phases, the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors said Tuesday.
"We're working with nature to protect what matters most: the beaches that connect us, support our ecosystems, and serve our communities," said Gary Jones, director of the Department of Beaches and Harbors. "These projects reflect our commitment to resilience, preservation, and equity."
The grants from the Regional Park and Open Space District represent the latest phase of an initiative launched in 2024 and officials are nearing completion of a feasibility study that helped shape the projects' design.
Living shoreline projects differ from traditional concrete seawalls by using native vegetation to restore dunes and natural habitats that provide coastal protection. The approach aims to defend against rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storms while maintaining public beach access.
The largest allocation, $3.1 million, will fund the Zuma Beach project in Malibu. Plans call for widening the beach and creating new dune habitat while enhancing existing dune areas. Sand placed at Zuma Beach is expected to naturally migrate south and widen Point Dume Beach as well.
The Redondo Beach project will receive $1.7 million to widen the beach between the Redondo Beach Pier and Topaz groin while creating new dune habitat in that stretch.
Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey will get $230,000 for a more modest intervention. The project will install a low sand barrier along the bike path to prevent sand from accumulating in parking lots. Work will also focus on restoring existing dune habitat through sand fencing, removing invasive plant species, seeding with native vegetation and constructing new access paths.
"Measure A was created by L.A. County voters to ensure every community has access to safe, healthy, and resilient public spaces," said Norma E. García-González, director of the County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Regional Park and Open Space District.
García-González emphasized the projects' dual purpose of environmental protection and community access, particularly for families seeking relief from extreme heat or recreational opportunities.
The three projects will now enter design development and environmental review phases, with construction targeted to begin in coming years. County officials pledged extensive community engagement throughout the process, including public meetings, email updates and presentations to local organizations.
The living shoreline initiative represents a key component of the Department of Beaches and Harbors' broader Coastal Resilience Initiative, which seeks to protect beaches through scientific approaches, partnerships and public participation.
Measure A, approved by Los Angeles County voters, provides funding to ensure equitable access to parks and recreational facilities across all communities. The latest awards demonstrate how the measure supports both environmental protection and public access goals.
The Department of Beaches and Harbors oversees Marina del Rey harbor and 23 miles of coastline, including internationally recognized beaches such as Zuma, Malibu Surfrider, Venice and Manhattan Beach.
Officials noted that the nature-based approach offers advantages over traditional coastal engineering by working with natural processes rather than against them. The projects aim to preserve beach access for communities that depend on coastal areas for recreation and respite from urban heat.