Retaining Walls Not Helping As Cliff Erosion Threatens Oceanfront Homes In North Bay – CBS San Francisco

BOLINAS (KPIX 5) – Cliff erosion continues to threaten oceanfront homes in North Bay. The water, which makes up a glorious view of millions of dollars, is getting closer and closer and retaining walls don’t always help.

There used to be a road between a house in Bolinas and the cliff it sits on, but as the cliff erodes it slowly falls into the Pacific. The home’s owner approved Marin County’s permit to build a retaining wall, but Coastal Commission’s review has denied approval.

Marin County did not address litigation, and the Coastal Commission did not return KPIX 5’s request for comment.

However, longtime Bolinas resident and volunteer fire captain Peter Smith says cliff erosion is more of a standard in the area.

“A few years ago two or three houses went under. It happens all the time. Where we stand used to be a street. You’re building a house by the sea, Mother Nature will take you! “Said Smith.

To prove his point, Smith took KPIX on a tour.

“The house was right here and this whole area keeps leaking!”

Example after example, much for much, he says, the Bolinas cliffs are all in motion.

He pointed to a retaining wall that was 40 feet up the hill. A wall there and the house behind it fell only four years ago.

“I don’t think there is any way you can stop it,” said Smith.

But the house has not perished yet and the owner is still trying to save it. He has about 50 feet to go.