PRESS RELEASE and VIDEO. Press release from the San Mateo County Harbor District on July 17th, 2025. Video from the San Mateo County Harbor District meeting on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 meeting, at 10:00am, as a hybrid meeting with remote comments. Meetings are held in person at the SMCHD Administration Building, 504 Avenue Alhambra, Ste. 200, El Granada. Agenda. Staff Report.
Presentation. Harbor District Surfers Beach – Pilot Restoration Project – Dredging webpage.
PRESS RELEASE. The long-awaited project to dredge around the launch ramp and beneficially use the sand removed to restore Surfers Beach has begun. We are planning for the project to be completed by the end of October. Meanwhile, construction will cause some restrictions of use. We will continue to inform the public/tenants of any closures well in advance, see below.
1) Construction of a 12” HDPE pipeline at the boat launch ramps – Contractor intends to confine their activities to the equipment assembly site at the boat ramp, but this may cause interference with traffic in the boat launch area as trucks are unloaded. The approximate duration of this work is from July 17 through July 28, 2025.
2) Movement of the HDPE pipeline through the outer harbor to its final placement location for dredging. This operation will also include the installation of a booster pump barge along the south breakwater, submergence of the pipeline across the entrance channel to the harbor, location of a slurry barge at the Eelgrass mitigation Site near West Trail, and installation of approximately 1400’ of turbidity curtain around the mitigation area, near the far west outer breakwater.
The approximate dates for these activities are:
a. Pipeline construction and placement – July 17 through July 28, 2025
b. Booster pump barge installation – July 21 through July 25, 2025
c. Submergence of the pipeline across the harbor entrance channel – July 24 through July 28 (this activity will be communicated with the Harbormaster’s Office in real-time during the actual closure). Duration of the PPH outer breakwater entrance closure is anticipated at six hours on one day. The contractor’s work vessels can be hailed on VHF channels 13,14 and 67. USCG Local Notice to Mariners have been filed and will continue to be updated. The pipe diameter is 12”, so channel depth will be reduced by a foot. Deep draft vessels should plan to come and go at higher tides.
d. Location of slurry barge near west outer breakwater– July 24 through July 28, 2025
e. Installation of turbidity curtain near west breakwater – July 21 through July 28, 2025
3) Closure of the east Inner Harbor entrance for Phase 1 dredging – July 24 through August 15, 2025 the west inner harbor entrance will always remain open.
4) Interference with boat launching operations during the dredging around the ramp will occur July 24 through August 15, 2025. Every effort will be made to keep as many launch ramp lanes open as possible. No work around the launch ramp will occur on weekends or peak salmon fishing days.
5) The larger HDPE pipeline on the hill will be launched (across the pedestrian path and beach) on approximately August 11 through August 15, 2025. This time will be adjusted as Phase 2 of the dredging approaches.
USCG – Local Notice to Mariners – Pillar Point Harbor Dredging
Anchor Waiver Information Collection
More on Dredging, Sand Replacement and Artificial Reefs on Coastside Buzz
Harbor District Webpage: Pillar Point Harbor – East Outer Harbor Dredge Project to Include Surfers Beach Replenishment and Eelgrass Mitigation Plan
Midcoast Community Council Webpage: Surfers’ Beach Pilot Restoration Project (Harbor District)
More on Pillar Point Dredge and Surfers Beach Sand Replenishment Pilot on Coastside Buzz
California Coastal Commission Approves 5-Year Permit Extension for the Surfer’s Beach Sand Replenishment via Dredge Project with some Special Conditions; June 26, 2025
Big Day for San Mateo County Harbor District as They Approve Contracts ($6.5M +10% Contingency) for Surfers’ Beach Dredge, Sand Restoration and Eel Grass Mitigation Project; Eel Grass Survey Starts Monday!; May 22, 2025
As Dredge Project Moves from Design to Construction Permitting, the San Mateo Harbor Commission Approves Eelgrass Permitting Costs but Looks for Full Economic Breakdown; February 27, 2025
San Mateo County Harbor District Awarded $3M for the “Surfers Beach Pilot Restoration Project” including the Dredging of Pillar Point Harbor by the Ocean Protections Council; September 11, 2024
With Increasing Frustration for the 10-Year Dredge Project Permitting Process, San Mateo County Harbor Commission Asks for a Historical Accounting for the Public; February 29, 2024
Pillar Point Harbor Pilot Dredge Project is Approved by the California Coastal Commission in 10 Minutes after 50 Years; September 6, 2023
As Construction Costs Skyrocket, Harbor District Reassigns some CIP Projects to Future Years; Safety and Dredge Still Top Priorities; August 31, 2023
Pillar Point Harbor Dredge Project Tracking All Permits; 80-90% Confident to Start in Spring 2024 for Eel Grass Season; August 23, 2023
Stay Tuned to PROJECT DREDGE ~ Brought to You by Tommy Tsunami Surf Company; October 6, 2022
FUNDED! Pillar Point Harbor East Outer Harbor to Surfers Beach Dredge Project and Eel Grass Mitigation; June 16, 2022
Update on Surfers Beach Dredging for Beach Replenishment and Eel Grass Mitigation; March 4, 2021
Surfers Beach Pilot Project Update: Dredging, Beach Replenishment and Eel Grass; April 21, 2020
Artificial Reefs (and Dredging) as a Solution on Coastside Buzz
More on the San Mateo County Harbor District on Coastside Buzz
San Mateo County Harbor District Board Meetings ~ 3rd Wednesday @ 10:00am
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
Please note that email correspondence sent to or from members of the Harbor Commission via the District’s website are considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act.
Harbor District Agendas and Remote Meeting Links
Harbor District Pacifica Coast TV Videos
2025 Board of Harbor Commissioners Contact Information:
Please note that email correspondence sent to or from Members of the Harbor Commission via the District’s website are considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act.
To email the entire Harbor Commission, click here.
Kathryn Slater-Carter ~ District 3
Position: Chair
Term: 2023-2027
Email: kslater-carter@smharbor.com
George Domurat ~ District 2
Position: Vice Chair
Term: 2023-2027
Email: gdomurat@smharbor.com
William Zemke ~ District 1
Position: Secretary
Term: 2021 -2025
mail: wzemke@smharbor.com
Tom Mattusch ~ District 4
Position: Treasurer
Term: 2021-2025
Email: tmattusch@smharbor.com
Virginia Chang Kiraly ~ District 5
Position: Commissioner
Term: 2021-2025
Email: vchang-kiraly@smharbor.com
District Office: 504 Avenue Alhambra, Ste. 200, El Granada, CA 94018
Mailing Address: PO Box 1449, El Granada, CA 94018
Phone: (650) 583-4400 Fax: (650) 583-4614
Pillar Point without the harbor.
Shoaling will be dredged soon.
Author: mdrag
x
