OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) -- Thinning beaches in Oceanside will not be getting relief this summer. The annual dredging project which brings in millions of pounds of badly needed sand has been canceled.
The city says the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the annual project, hiring a contractor to dredge the harbor every spring.
The harbor dredging helps ensure boats can navigate safely. Sand is then pumped to the beaches which not only keeps them looking good but protects roads and buildings along the shore.
City of Oceanside Public Works Director Kiel Koger says the cancellation was due to the Corps not getting the necessary permit in time from the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.
"The citizens, tourists coming to our city for the summer, we'd like to have more sand on the beach for them, it is frustrating," said Koger.
He says their sand problem is caused by a man-made sea wall built during World War II which blocks sand from moving up and down the coast
Many locals have expressed frustration over the Corps canceling the project.
Lennen Kardas is a lifelong resident and works at the Asylum Surf Shop. He's watched the beaches thin over his lifetime and wants to see a more permanent solution for their coast.
"It's like duct tape on a leaky pipe, it works but doesn't solve the problem forever, you have to put more duct tape on it each year," said Kardas.
The Corps was studying other sand replenishing options but asked the city to pitch in $1 million to continue. Koger says the city hopes to get that money through a grant they've applied for.
Koger says the Corps will test the water depth throughout the summer.
10News reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers for comment and did not hear back.
