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Coastkeeper Applauds Orange County Community for Support Around Newport Beach Harbor Access

  • Organization advocated for restoration of public access at public beach and docks located at 1901 Bayside Drive near Newport Harbor Patrol and Coast Guard

  • New hearing on OC County Park’s Coastal Development Permit Amendment to take place in June

WHAT:

Orange County Coastkeeper applauds Newport Beach residents, boaters, beachgoers and all Orange County residents for voicing support around protecting public access to Newport Beach Harbor. On March 10, the California Coastal Commission was supposed to hold a public hearing in which the governing body determined the fate of Coastal Development Permit Amendment (CDP) Application 5-07-370-A2 from Orange County Parks. Due to Coastkeeper’s advocacy efforts, the organization mobilized widespread public opposition to the permit amendment application and the County postponed the hearing on its application and started working collaboratively with Coastkeeper.

Coastkeeper, with the help of the University of California Irvine Environmental Law Clinic, met multiple times with County and Coastal Commission staff. As a result of their advocacy efforts for restoring public access, the County has agreed to restore public access immediately and add additional amenities for the public. The new hearing on the County’s CDP Amendment will be in June, and Coastkeeper encourages the community to continue the use of amenities.

WHY:

Under the previously proposed CDP Application 5-07-370-A2, access to the Newport Harbor Patrol Guest Dock and adjacent beach would have been greatly impacted. Coastkeeper commends the County and Coastal Commission staff for coming to an agreement that balances the need for safety at the Harbor Patrol area with the public’s right to use our precious coastal resources.

QUOTE:

“By working together, we can continue protecting crucial public spaces that allow us all to enjoy the natural resources in Orange County,” said Garry Brown, founder and president at Orange County Coastkeeper. “We appreciate the support of the community in keeping Newport Harbor accessible and are happy to have come to an agreement with the County and Coastal Commission that benefits all.”

PERMIT TO INCLUDE:

Based on conversations between Coastkeeper, UCI Environmental Law Clinic, the County and the Coastal Commission, the new permit will include the following:

  • Immediate restoration of the public’s ability to rent 5 overnight guest slips for $40/night. 
  • Immediate restoration of the public’s use of the visitor dock, which will be shared with emergency use. 
  • The addition of beach wheelchairs to increase ADA access to the sandy beach.
  • Restoration of a public 20-minute loading parking space at the top of the visitor dock gangway. 
  • Immediate ability of the public to rent 7 moorings located to the southeast of the 5 overnight slips. 
  • 24-hour use of the dinghy dock, with the ability to request additional time from harbor patrol.
  • Installation of an ADA lift on the visitor dock, pending feasibility for ADA compliant access to lift.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT:

  • Organization: Orange County Coastkeeper
  • Interviews available: For interviews with Orange County Coastkeeper, contact Hailey Bossert, hailey@gomixte.com, 619-732-0789 x 424
  • Links to use in your story:

 

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ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER: Orange County Coastkeeper is a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, which has 241 different independent programs across 40 countries. Founded in 1999, the mission of Coastkeeper is to protect and promote sustainable water resources that are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable. Coastkeeper is a nonprofit clean water organization that serves as a proactive steward of our fresh- and saltwater ecosystems. We work collaboratively with diverse groups in the public and private sectors to achieve healthy, accessible, and sustainable water resources for the region. We implement innovative, effective programs in education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement, and conservation. For more information, visit www.coastkeeper.org or call 714-850-1965.

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