With increased coastal flooding and erosion, climate change is harshing California’s mellow vibes. Officials say it’s time to retreat from the shore altogether. Residents want to stay and fight. Paul Kvinta reports from the front lines of a pitched battle, where geologists and millionaires are squaring off, and friendly fire between surfers isn’t so friendly.
Rip rap pushed further out on Saturday
Apparently nothing will stop beachfront property owners in Oceanside from dropping in huge riprap boulders in front of their house.
Not even a stop-work order from the state coastal commission.
At about 2 pm Friday, March 5, the city of Oceanside was served with an order from the state coastal commission instructing the city to rescind its approval of the installation of new riprap in front of the seven houses from 1201 to 1213 South Pacific at the western terminus of Oceanside Boulevard. After the stop-work order was served Friday afternoon, the heavy equipment operator continued dropping new boulders and moving existing ones towards the sea with a bulldozer and giant crane. He’s been returning every day since.