The coastal commission is meeting in Monterey July 13-15. Please write a letter to the Coastal Commission outlining your concerns with the Cemex Sand Mine.
Updates
- July Coastal Commission meeting
- City of Marina: The sand mine is a public nuisance
- America’s last coastal sand mine given ultimatum on California beach operation
Background
The Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter is working to stop what it believes is un-permitted development under the Coastal Act by the CEMEX sand mining plant in Marina, California. CEMEX is believed to mine approximately 270,000 cubic yards of sand a year (and perhaps more), from the beach. Sand is a precious resource, vital to our coasts, and CEMEX’s operations are suspected to be a primary cause of beach and dune erosion in southern Monterey Bay. CEMEX is believed to be the cause of major erosion at regional public beaches such as the Marina Dunes Preserve, Fort Ord Dunes State Park, and Monterey State Beach. The Monterey Chapter is engaged to protect the region’s coastal resources, including its sandy beaches, from CEMEX’s operations, and to ensure CEMEX operations are in legal compliance.
Recent News
- Monterey County Weekly: Coastal Commission poised to settle with Cemex.
- SF Gate: CA Regulators move towards closing Monterey Bay sand mine
- Monterey County Weekly:A state agency flexes its muscle against Cemex. This time, it’s not a threat. It’s an order.
- ABC7 News:Mexican corporation accused of damaging Monterey Bay coast
- SF Chronicle Editorial:End the California Sand Rush
- KION:Monterey council members take action over controversial Cemex plant
- SF Chronicle:Ignoring state threats, firm keeps sucking sand from Monterey Bay
- KAZU: Surfriders Monitor CEMEX Sand Mine While Negotiations Continue
- Monterey County Weekly: Activists hold protest at CEMEX mine; CEMEX responds
- Monterey County Weekly: Decision to shut down CEMEX sand mine remains elusive
- Monterey Herald: CEMEX: The sand mining conundrum
- KION: Sand Mining on the Central Coast: The future of Marina’s CEMEX plant in question
- Monterey County Weekly: CEMEX sand mine decision anticipated before year’s end
- KAZU: For Now, Coastal Commission opts for drawn-out talks over litigation with CEMEX in Marina
- Monterey County Weekly: County: Marina sand mine operated illegally since 1965
- Monterey County Weekly: CEMEX mine reflects human hunger for sand
Facts
- Southern Monterey Bay has the highest coastal erosion rate in California; evidence suggests long-term sand mining is the primary cause
- The Lapis Sand Mine has been increasing the amount of sand it removes. One current estimate is that CEMEX is taking 380,000 cubic yards (about 70 football fields three feet deep) of sand each year
- The mine generates over $200,000 annually in property tax revenue, but the cost of beach erosion to the cities of Southern Monterey Bay is estimated at over $1,000,000 per year
- The mine operates without a Coastal Development Permit. The California Coastal Commission has issued a “notice of intent” but state officials need the public’s help and support in order to carry out a cease and desist order