Long Beach

Malibu is facing the environmental and financial consequences of a century of coastal management decisions that have deprived its beaches of sand. The 'sand debt' refers to the accumulated erosion caused by development, dams and armoring of the coastline that blocked the natural flow of sediment to the shore. As seas rise and beaches narrow, restoring the coastline is expected to carry a steep cost, raising questions about who pays and whether replenishment can keep pace.