Hello friends of the Newport Harbor Foundation,

There is an urgent issue we need a little help with… something that impacts one of our favorite local playgrounds – the Newport Harbor.

After years of lobbying the federal government for help, the City of Newport Beach has obtained grants of almost $16 million to pay for dredging of the harbor which will significantly enhance the quality of water and create safer boat passage in the harbor. Along with the dredging process, there is a process called CAD (contained aquatic disposal) which places unsuitable material now existing in the harbor into a safe and secure location deep below the harbor bed. This process is totally safe and has been used for many years all over the country, including harbors in California.

The project for Newport Harbor has been studied, vetted, and approved by Fish and Wildlife, EPA, Army Corp of Engineers, and the City of Newport Beach. The final permit needed is from the California State Water Board and once obtained, the California Coastal Commission staff will recommend its approval of the project at the next commission meeting in October. Without these final approvals, the City of Newport Beach risks losing the federal grants and the project will be delayed indefinitely.

The Water Board is where our issue is and your help is needed. Recently, a small group of individuals have opposed the CAD portion of the project and have raised concern with the Water Board with some untruths and opinions. These misstatements are being addressed over the next month in several ways. I will follow up with links where you can see these updates. In the meantime, what I ask is for a brief email to the California Water Board stating that you support the dredging and CAD project at this address:

______________________

To: Maher Zaher

Ma*********@wa*********.gov

Subject Line: I support the CAD & Dredging Project in Newport Beach

Body: I support the CAD & Dredging Project in Newport Beach.

______________________

IMPORTANT: This must be submitted no later than this Friday, September 16, 2022

IMPORTANT: This must be submitted no later than this Friday, September 16, 2022

Please address your comments to:

Maher Zaher

Ma*********@wa*********.gov

Subject Line: I support the CAD & Dredging Project in Newport Beach

Body: I support the CAD & Dredging Project in Newport Beach.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

If you’re out and about on Newport Harbor on Sunday afternoon, July 16, you may see dozens of sailboats racing around the harbor. Give them plenty of room and cheer them on—it’s the 87th Annual Flight of Newport Beach, presented by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Balboa Yacht Club.

July 4 Old Glory Boat Parade 2023 / photo by Lawrence Sherwin

Whether you have a beautiful luxury yacht or a luxurious Duffy boat, it’s time to decorate your watercraft and participate in the annual Old Glory Boat Parade on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 1 p.m.

This is part of the three-day American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 Centennial event, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

When the question was asked as to when and where the first beer can race was held, there were several virtual hands raised with the same answer: Balboa Yacht Club’s Thursday evening Beer Cans Summer Series.

A 1988 story in the Los Angeles Times recalls a bar bet 25 years earlier that got it started, which would put the 2024 season as the 62nd edition. Here’s what they’ve been doing inside this Southern California harbor for a long time: