LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing a proposed dune restoration plan at Hollywood Beach designed to offset impacts of maintenance dredging activities in Ventura County. Restoration efforts are slated for implementation in fiscal year 2026.
To present the plan and gather public feedback, USACE is hosting a virtual public meeting July 24. Community members are encouraged to participate to learn more and share questions or concerns. Details about the meeting will be released soon.
The plan is designed to offset the effects of federal maintenance dredging on the western snowy plover and California least tern, both protected under the Endangered Species Act, as well as impacts to sensitive dune habitat. While dredging is critical for maintaining navigable harbor inlets and supporting downcoast beaches, it disrupts coastal foredune habitat used by both species. Sand trapped by Channel Islands Harbor’s north jetty and detached breakwater forms habitat that dredging subsequently affects, including designated critical habitat for the western snowy plover.
USACE consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and received a biological opinion requiring restoration. The California Coastal Commission also conditionally concurred with USACE’s consistency determination under section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, reinforcing the restoration requirement.
Under the proposed plan, USACE will restore and establish coastal foredune habitat at Hollywood Beach, which includes:
• Eradicating invasive beach grass
• Recontouring dunes to reflect natural shapes
• Planting native species via seeds or plants
• Removing non-native vegetation without herbicides
• Installing symbolic fencing and educational signage
• Managing the area for five years following restoration
The restoration will take place on public lands and feature low-profile dunes, between 0.5 to 4 feet high, with sparse native vegetation. Symbolic fencing – consisting of low-profile posts/stakes between 3 to 4 feet high spaced more than 8 feet apart and connected by rope – will allow pedestrians access, while helping protect restored habitat.
Monitoring will span a six-year period, including:
• Weekly surveys for both the western snowy plover and California least tern during nesting season
• Annual habitat assessments for five years post-restoration
• Pre- and post-dredging evaluations to quantify impacts and verify restoration effectiveness.
For more information and for frequently asked questions about the project, visit https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Channel-Islands/.
The biological opinion and Coastal Commission’s conditional concurrence can be found in Appendices D and G, respectively, in the Final Environmental Assessment completed for the maintenance dredging projects at Channel Islands and Port Hueneme harbors and was posted Nov. 20, 2024, on USACE’s Los Angeles District website. The Environmental Assessment can be found here: https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/3973017/spl-2024-1120-final-ea-channel-islands-and-port-hueneme-harbors.