FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2025
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
SAN CLEMENTE: OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley and Orange County Transportation Authority Deposit First Wave of Sand as Part of Coastal Rail Protection Efforts
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Today, Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley joined Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to commemorate a key milestone in its ongoing emergency effort to protect the coastal rail line. Officials gathered in San Clemente to observe an initial sand nourishment effort at North Beach.
OCTA leaders emphasized that this first wave of sand is an important initial deposit on a much larger effort to place up to 540,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coastline, pending sand sourcing and additional state and federal permitting approvals.
“This initial placement of sand highlights our dedication to securing our rail corridor and protecting our coast,” said OCTA Director Katrina Foley. “Unfortunately, slow, excessive bureaucracy prohibits OCTA from bringing the remaining 240,000 cubic yards of sand San Clemente desperately needs. Today, we started delivering truckloads of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs. We must work collaboratively with all levels of government to expedite sand renourishment efforts and protect our iconic Orange County beaches.”
In about a week, expect to enjoy a wider sandy beach for more than quarter-mile span of beach. This event demonstrates an immediate step to help reinforce the rail line while longer-term reinforcement work continues.
OCTA also continues focusing on four priority areas to protect the rail line through south Orange County, which provides a vital link for passengers, freight and military assets.
Additional work near Mariposa Point is scheduled to begin later this month and will include restoration of the popular San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail and construction of a nearly 1,400-foot-long catchment wall to protect the rail line from debris caused by sliding on the hill above. That work is scheduled for completion in summer 2026.
To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364.
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Orange County Supervisor 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 2025 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Regional Transportation Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,
Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,
Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Corrections
Partnership (OCCCP), Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection Agency,
and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
