FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2026
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | alyssa.napuri@bos5.oc.gov
Vice Chair Katrina Foley Secures 200,000 cu. Yards of Sand to Protect Newport Beach Following Emergency Declaration
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Following a meeting convened by Supervisor Foley’s office, County staff, and coastal city officials, OC Public Works and the City of Newport Beach entered into an agreement and expedited permitting methods to move 200,000 cubic yards of sand from the Santa Ana River outlet to the City of Newport Beach’s eroding shoreline. This move comes at a critical time as coastal cities reckon with the damage caused by Hurricaine Marie and prepare for this winter’s El Niño storm season.
“Government must act quickly and cut through unnecessary red tape to protect our shorelines and critical coastal infrastructure. With a super El Niño Storm season coming, we must act now to protect our coast and prepare for historic storms. In Orange County, sand is infrastructure,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Thank you to OCPW and the City of Newport Beach for your swift action following this week’s coordination call. Along the entire Orange County coast we must accelerate sand replenishment and shoreline protection to protect our homes, beaches, and infrastructure.”
OCPW is allowing the City to use the County’s regulatory permits for ocean outlet maintenance (includes CDFW, State Parks, Army Corps, Water Board, Coastal Commission). This will allow the City to take up to 200,000 cubic yards of sand from the Santa Ana River outlet to place on their beaches through the end of January 2027. OCPW will also provide technical support and oversight as needed, including biologist review of their operations to ensure permit compliance. OCPW will also assist in expediting permitting to ensure this work is completed before the winter storm surges. The City plans to advertise for bids next week and award to a contractor to perform the sand removal and placement by 10/27/26.
County officials continue coordinating with Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, and other coastal communities and assessing impacts along the Orange County coastline.
To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Alyssa Napuri at (657) 334-4930.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Olympics 28 Ad Hoc Committee
Urban Counties Caucus
