California Eminent Domain Report

On June 10, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, which, among other things, streamlines the U.S Army Corps of Engineers' infrastructure authorization process, accelerates project delivery, and authorizes federal funding for a variety of projects, including projects in California.  Among these California projects is the San Clemente Shoreline project, which includes construction and continuing maintenance of coastal protection measures along the San Clemente shoreline. 

Under the proposal that was submitted to Congress in 2013, the City will be responsible for providing "all lands, easements, and rights-of-way, and perform or ensure the performance of all relocations determined by the Federal Government to be necessary for the initial construction, periodic nourishment, operation, and maintenance of the project." 

As explained in the Orange County Register article by Elizabeth Held, while the funds have been authorized, they have not been appropriated.  Thus, the next step will be lobbying to get the project related funds included in the Federal budget.