Joint Release
Orange County Coastkeeper Receives Grant to Continue Managing Access Point to Huntington Harbor at Portofino Cove
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Coastal Conservancy board approved $24,000 grant in late November
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Coastkeeper has managed this access way easement at Portofino for nearly a decade
WHAT:
Orange County Coastkeeper received a $24,000 grant in late November, 2020, from the California State Coastal Conservancy to continue maintaining a public access way easement at Portofino Cove in Huntington Harbor in the City of Huntington Beach. Coastkeeper has been managing this access way easement, held by the Conservancy, for nearly a decade. The grant is a renewal of the management contract between the Coastal Conservancy and Coastkeeper.
This grant is expected to cover three years of management expenses, including repair and replacement of benches, signs, and trash cans, and regular trash pick up.
WHY:
Most of Huntington Harbor is inaccessible to the public, as it is surrounded by private residences and boat docks. This easement provides an opportunity for the public to view the harbor. Grants like the one from the Coastal Conservancy protect and enhance coastal access, which is out of reach for many California residents because of economic barriers, according to a UCLA report.
QUOTES:
“Helping protect coastal access for all California residents is at the heart of this partnership with the Coastal Conservancy,” said Garry Brown, Orange County Coastkeeper founder and president. “We believe the state’s natural resources are for everyone to enjoy and Coastkeeper gets to make an impact in protecting them for generations to come.”
“When we invest in preserving and protecting our public land and natural resources, we invest in the future. I am extremely grateful for the work Orange County Coastkeeper does to help protect access to our natural public lands,” said Senator Tom Umberg (Orange County). “It is critical that we support organizations like Orange County Coastkeeper that work to improve opportunities for people of all means and backgrounds to appreciate the great California coast.”
ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT:
- Organizations:
- Orange County Coastkeeper
- Senator Tom Umberg’s office
- Interviews available:
- For interviews with Orange County Coastkeeper, contact Hector Zermeño, Hector@gomixte.com or 619-732-0789 x432
- For interviews with Senator Tom Umberg’s office, contact Michael Henning, Henning@sen.ca.gov
- 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.
SENATOR THOMAS UMBERG represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former federal prosecutor. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.
Follow Senator Umberg on Facebook and Twitter.
Senator Umberg’s official headshot is available here.
