Most everyone loves beautiful beaches, and restoring them is a priority for coastal communities.
But agreeing on how to fund beach restoration is a challenge that San Clemente residents are facing this election cycle. Our decision will impact neighboring beaches too.
Some San Clemente residents feel strongly about passing Measure BB, which would raise sales taxes to 8.25%. Their “Yes on BB” campaign is supported by four city council members.
We fully respect their efforts, but we believe more taxes are never the best answer, so we must find a better way to save our beaches. According to Councilmember Steve Knoblock, the only vote against putting a new tax on the ballot, we’ve already found it.
Private enterprise.
Around 20 years ago, the city decided to restore eroded sections of the roughly 5.5 miles of beach in San Clemente.
The Army Corps of Engineers, regarded highly for such reclamation, offered to quarterback an elaborate 50-year project to supply the sand. It hired Seattle-based Manson Construction Co. to do the work. Every five years sand would be delivered at a minimum of $15 million each time.
Many years went by until last spring, when the city paid $15 million and Manson delivered less than half of the sand (114,000 cubic yards), dredged up and hauled from Oceanside before discovering the sand had too many rocks.
Though less than half of the sand was delivered, San Clemente residents may have to fund another $2.5 million to $4 million for the remaining 136,000 cubic yards.
And, if we continue this agreement, residents will fund an additional $15 million every 5 years (plus inflation and increased costs) for the next 50 years. That’s at least $150 million.
Knoblock says the corps uses outdated equipment. “It’s like hiring the Naval Sixth Fleet to deliver sand. We need to look to private enterprise, not the federal government.”
Research has begun to identify private entrepreneurs who can pump sand directly onto our beaches using alternative processes and modern equipment.
Early estimates indicate that pumping local offshore sand is far more economical and pumps could run 24/7.
One San Diego vendor estimated these start-up costs: barge, about $1 million; diesel pump, about half a million; piping, about $300,000. The vendor said the equipment can deliver sand to shore from the ocean floor off San Clemente. So, about $2 million for startup gear, and the city would own and could re-use the equipment, and rent it to neighbors.
What a great way to restore our beaches, raise funds through rental fees, and help neighboring beaches too.
Raising taxes, as Californians well know, is a parlor sport for our politicians. But people have limits. We respect that residents supporting BB feel a half-percent tax increase is modest, but already, California taxpayers are saddled with some of the highest taxes and expenses in the nation.
We’re burdened with huge property taxes, the highest gas taxes, massive DMV fees, homeowners’ insurance that has more than doubled recently, stubborn inflation, state and federal income taxes, high rents and mortgages, and the list goes on.
Many of us have lost our children to lower-tax states.
Consider California history. Eighty-five years after statehood, Californians were paying 2.50% in sales taxes, but new laws and ordinances followed, and today Californians are paying 3 to 4 times more. Our founders wouldn’t put up with this, but some believe 8.25% is a reasonable sales tax.
We disagree.
For one thing, taxes can increase. People in Compton, Hawthorne and Carson pay 10.250%; those in Hayward and Newark, CA, 10.750%. They likely didn’t expect these punitive amounts when they first agreed to higher taxes. For another, how about competition? Most communities near San Clemente charge 7.75%, enabling vendors in those places to undersell San Clemente’s businesses – ever-so-slightly, true. But buyers are influenced by prices, and that goes for restaurants, services, and retail items.
The details on tax increases require a deep dive, and most residents don’t have time to do the research. That’s why we vote for leaders like Knoblock who pledge not to support efforts to raise taxes and who keep their promises to find alternative solutions.
In a high-tax environment like California, the little guy gets hit from all directions with levies that are often crippling. Let’s restore our beaches using economical alternatives that bless our families, businesses and neighbors.
Rebecca Friedrichs is a fourth generation Southern Californian and an 18-year resident of San Clemente. Roger Ruvolo is a 34-year Southern California journalist.
