{"id":2104,"date":"2026-05-08T04:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T04:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=2104"},"modified":"2026-05-08T04:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T04:04:11","slug":"doheny-campground-upgrades-would-accompany-desal-project-construction-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=2104","title":{"rendered":"Doheny campground upgrades would accompany desal project construction"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><p>Brothers Joel and Aaron Krempasky were hanging out at their beachfront campsite in Dana Point on a recent day, feet in the sand,\u00a0a quick getaway at one of the most in-demand campgrounds in the State Parks system.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=2103\">Final Orange County softball standings: 2026 season<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know of another spot like this,\u201d said Joel Krempasky of the location right at the sand of Doheny State Beach. \u201cIt\u2019s unique to all of Southern California, that\u2019s why we love it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lucky campers who score spots here in the next year should enjoy it while they can \u2014 travelers will likely have to look elsewhere for two years while the coveted beachside campgrounds undergo renovations.<\/p>\n<div><ul><div><div><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"John Taylor holds his dog, Millie, as he chats with...\" class=\"wp-image-226\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba-1024x690.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba-1024x690.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba-300x202.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba-768x518.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba-1536x1036.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/684a96edb1acc24862315e8fed08a2ba.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>John Taylor holds his dog, Millie, as he chats with friends at their beachside campsite at Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The campground may close until 2028 for upgrades.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aggie Mason, left, Mark Mason, John Taylor and Sandra Taylor,...\" class=\"wp-image-227\" height=\"639\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e-1024x639.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e-1024x639.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e-300x187.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e-768x479.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e-1536x958.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f2dbb48036a6d5741e6fd97c44384f6e.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Aggie Mason, left, Mark Mason, John Taylor and Sandra Taylor, along with their dog, Millie, hang out at their beachside campsite at Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The campground may close until 2028 for upgrades.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday,...\" class=\"wp-image-228\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea-1024x767.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea-1024x767.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea-768x575.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea-1536x1150.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/59bef5fb3347163aedc7a468cbf898ea.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday,...\" class=\"wp-image-229\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0-1024x768.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8b86a3ac041e810047a69c96639a9a0.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground sits next to the mouth of...\" class=\"wp-image-230\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9-1024x767.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9-1024x767.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9-768x575.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9-1536x1150.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1942a83c38ea8d40cad32ff89cf06da9.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground sits next to the mouth of San Juan Creek in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday,...\" class=\"wp-image-231\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2-1024x679.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2-1024x679.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2-1536x1019.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/97c22770158655ab9e2ea7b4ca96e8c2.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday,...\" class=\"wp-image-232\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f-1024x686.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f-1024x686.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f-300x201.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f-768x514.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f-1536x1029.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce7f5ce0dbf50cb3d37d0a221a72f10f.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doheny State Beach Campground sits next to the mouth of...\" class=\"wp-image-233\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624-1024x768.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3c2fda8280b3bb857151f4cd168d3624.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Doheny State Beach Campground sits next to the mouth of San Juan Creek in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community meeting is set to discuss changes to the campgrounds including; improving coastal flooding resistance, restroom updates and larger campsites \u2013 but the changes mean the popular spot will be shut down for a long time.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mary Spratt secures a table cloth at her beachside campsite...\" class=\"wp-image-234\" height=\"669\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea-1024x669.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea-1024x669.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea-300x196.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea-768x502.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea-1536x1003.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20a0204b94bf251487c3af1b4c4326ea.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Mary Spratt secures a table cloth at her beachside campsite at Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The campground may close until 2028 for upgrades.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/div><\/div><\/ul><div><div>John Taylor holds his dog, Millie, as he chats with friends at their beachside campsite at Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point, CA, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The campground may close until 2028 for upgrades.  (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/div><span>Expand<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>This week, community members got a look at the \u201cclimate resilience and modernization\u201d project planned for the campgrounds during a workshop at the nearby Dana Point Harbor.<\/p>\n<p>The upgrades would be in conjunction with installations needed for the South Coast Water District\u2019s Doheny Ocean Desalination Project, planned just inland up the adjacent San Juan Creek.<\/p>\n<p>Slant wells are needed from Doheny State Beach to go into the ocean to draw water for the desal project, work that would require closure of the campground between 2027 and 2029. So officials decided it would be an opportune time to work on the improvements needed at the campgrounds.<\/p>\n<p>During the closure, State Parks and SCWD would make improvements to the campground, including creating larger campsites, adding new utility hookups, improving pedestrian and bicycle access, and updating the interpretive area, landscaping and restrooms. The campground\u2019s elevation would also be raised and drainage improved to better protect against coastal flooding and sea level rise.<\/p>\n<p>Decisions are still being made for the desalination project, so the campground will remain open through at least the end of 2026 and likely through early 2027, said Riley Pratt, State Parks senior environmental scientist.<\/p> <div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The purpose of the recent meeting was to get public input on preliminary designs that include a drop from 122 to 100 campsites.<\/p>\n<p>There are plans for 26 new tent-only, lower-cost camping areas on the south side of the 10-acre site. The remainder of the RV sites to the north would have full electrical hookups. Currently, many campers use generators for larger vehicle setups, which can be noisy during the night for nearby tent campers.<\/p>\n<p>Pratt called the 60-acre Doheny State Beach a \u201cbeloved space\u201d that draws an estimated 1 million people each year \u2014 the campground is full most nights of the year. Spots are gobbled up within minutes of going online for reservations, with the beachfront spots among the hardest to nab in the State Park\u2019s system.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite how popular this campground is, it has a lot of challenges,\u201d Pratt said, noting that some infrastructure dates back to the 1940s.<\/p> <div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Back when the general plan was created in 2004, there wasn\u2019t even any mention of climate resilience \u2014 the effects of sea level rise and eroding beaches had not yet taken hold.<\/p>\n<div><ul><div><div><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Doheny State Beach campground flooded in February 2024, an...\" class=\"wp-image-235\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b-1024x767.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b-1024x767.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b-768x575.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b-1536x1150.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc5cd39fda6f26386396fd813647d16b.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The Doheny State Beach campground flooded in February 2024, an ongoing issue that will be addressed with upcoming renovations. (Photo courtesy of Jim Serpa)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Doheny State Beach campground flooded in 2010, an ongoing...\" class=\"wp-image-236\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6-1024x680.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6-1536x1020.webp 1536w, https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cfbd7f3de9e659a0efd62fb2944f1e6.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The Doheny State Beach campground flooded in 2010, an ongoing issue that will be addressed with upcoming renovations. (Photo courtesy of Jim Serpa)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/div><\/div><\/ul><div><div>The Doheny State Beach campground flooded in February 2024, an ongoing issue that will be addressed with upcoming renovations. (Photo courtesy of Jim Serpa)\n<\/div><span>Expand<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>But in recent years, the impacts have been apparent. Last year, the city worked with consultants from Moffatt &amp; Nichol to do a vulnerability study to determine the risks to the campgrounds from sea level rise.<\/p>\n<p>Like other areas of the South County coast, the beach there is shrinking. And when a high tide and big swell hit, it can spell trouble as the ocean overtops the sand into the campsites.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat can ruin a vacation,\u201d Pratt said.<\/p>\n<p>And when a big rainstorm hits, there are issues with flooding because the campsite is set in a bowl shape that pools water.<\/p>\n<p>Key takeaways and recommendations from the city\u2019s study included a need to raise the campground elevation about 4 feet and set back the sites inland, further away from the threat of the ocean. Crews also need to recontour how water moves into storm drains and off site.<\/p>\n<p>The desalination project has already gained California Coastal Commission approvals and is awaiting a 60% design concept to be completed in the next month, with an all-in price estimate given, said Rick Shintaku, general manager of South Coast Water District.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=2101\">Orange County swimmers blaze to improvements at CIF-SS Division 1 prelims<\/a><\/p>\n<p>At that point, SCWD will decide if the cost of the project makes sense to move forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for us, we are at a key point,\u201d Shintaku said.<\/p>\n<p>He called the project a \u201cwin-win\u201d that would address long-awaited upgrades to the State Park with work that can be done in conjunction with the desalination project, so the campground would only be closed once.<\/p>\n<p>If the desalination project moves forward, work in the North Day Use area of Doheny State Beach could get underway by October, and the design, construction and performance testing of the system would happen in the coming years, with the desal operation online by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>The project dates back to 2004, when the Municipal Water District of Orange County explored ideas for desalination. South Coast Water District, based in Laguna Beach, took over the project in 2015.<\/p>\n<p>The Doheny project, when completed, would produce 5 million gallons per day of drinking water as part of SCWD\u2019s Integrated Water Resources Plan, aimed at diversifying and securing water resources, particularly during critical need periods such as drought and natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p>Using pipelines buried under the ocean floor is the preferred method because it would have little impact on marine life. Brine, the saltwater left over from the desalination process, would be mixed with treated wastewater in an existing outfall pipe and discharged a couple of miles out in the ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Retired State Parks ranger Jim Serpa showed up to the recent workshop to see the plans, recalling when the campgrounds flooded in 2004, the first time in 50 years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was that deep,\u201d he said, showing how water went up to his knees.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, flooding has been a regular occurrence, causing campers to cancel or suffer through messy conditions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s always in danger of flooding,\u201d Serpa said. \u201cIn the last 15 to 20 years, they had to build the berm up, and you can\u2019t really see the ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also said there are some \u201cterrible\u201d sites that are no bigger than a VW bus could make way for larger sites.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there\u2019s too many sites in that amount of space right now,\u201d he said of the proposal to reduce the total number.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s good and bad,\u201d he said of the changes, not fond of plans to get rid of the Campfire Center.<\/p>\n<p>The upgrades are just another way the area is improving, with the nearby Dana Point Harbor going through a major upgrade and other nearby developments, said Joel Krempasky. Even if the campgrounds are closed for an extended period, it will be worth the wait.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think anything is going to take time to make it better,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m actually for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While it will be a bummer not having the sites to camp in for a while, Aaron Krempasky said he\u2019s excited about the new and improved version they can enjoy for years to come.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUltimately, it\u2019s about the kids, and the kids will have a spot to hang out,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to close it down and do something different, but I\u2019m stoked to hear it\u2019s going to still be a campground so we can enjoy it for years to come.\u201d<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=2099\">First eyed 6 decades ago, history-making D-Line subway opens first leg Friday<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The campgrounds in Dana Point are among the most popular in the State Parks system, but flooding and other issues need to be addressed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-verified-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - 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