Beach project must be a multi-city partnership

Re “More coastal cities oppose Oceanside’s groin project” (Feb. 28): Del Mar council members Terry Gaasterland and Dave Druker are right that a regional approach with cities working together to maintain sand on our beaches is essential.

With 2 feet or more of sea level rise over the next 80 years virtually certain, most regions of the world face this challenge, among others. I agree the Army Corps is not ideal for this, but neither is the San Diego Association of Governments any longer since its Shoreline Preservation Committee got downgraded in the org chart, and maybe because of lawsuits around the last regional sand nourishment.

Oceanographic evidence strongly suggests that sand nourishment with sand retention can maintain beaches wider than they would otherwise be. Yes, it’s expensive, but so is doing nothing.

Groin fields can maintain beach width, but there must be commitment to keep them filled with sand to avoid adjacent beach starvation. Ultimately, retreat will be necessary, but this is decades away.

Meanwhile, adaptation with regional replenishment and retention is the only option if we want to maintain sandy beaches. R.E. Flick Scripps Institution of Oceanography