Mark Attanasio, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, has agreed to donate a valuable oceanfront parcel as part of a settlement with the California Coastal Commission related to unauthorized sand excavation at Broad Beach in Malibu. The dispute, which began earlier in 2024, involved accusations that Attanasio’s construction team used heavy machinery to remove sand from the public beach and bring it onto his private property without permits.

The Coastal Commission launched an investigation after the incident, concluding that the unpermitted excavation damaged sensitive coastal habitats and partially obstructed public access to the beach. The use of excavators reportedly created a large hole in the intertidal zone, an area critical for marine life such as fish and sea stars.

Rather than imposing a traditional fine or penalty, the settlement proposes that Attanasio donate a 5,135-square-foot beachfront property valued at $2 million to public use. This parcel, located near Big Rock Beach roughly 14 miles east of Attanasio’s Broad Beach residence, was previously the site of a three-unit building destroyed in the Palisades fire. Attanasio is currently under contract to purchase the property and plans to transfer ownership to a public agency once the acquisition is completed, after which specific plans for recreational use will be determined.

Lisa Haage, Chief of Enforcement for the Coastal Commission, described the donation as a noteworthy resolution, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining public beach access in Malibu, where private homes often crowd the shoreline. "We’re very excited because we rarely have the opportunity to dedicate a whole parcel to the public," she said, noting that property donations of this nature are uncommon in the area.

Robert Moddelmog, enforcement counsel for the Coastal Commission, highlighted the rarity of such acquisitions in eastern Malibu, where continuous development has historically prevented public agencies from expanding beach access. He also confirmed that as part of the agreement, Attanasio will restore the damaged beach by returning the displaced sand.

Broad Beach itself has been the focus of preservation efforts over the past decade due to severe sand erosion caused by storms and high tides. In 2015, notable residents such as actors Dustin Hoffman, Ray Romano, and Pierce Brosnan pledged $31 million toward a major restoration initiative to replenish the beach’s sand.

The agreement between Attanasio and the Coastal Commission is scheduled for a final vote by the commission on Thursday. A representative for Attanasio declined to comment on the settlement until the vote is completed.