Rain to Rubbish
Source: Stu News Newport – https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/14903-guest-column-hon-robyn-gran-041823
A close-up example of the trash interceptor
March showers have given way to April flowers. The recent storms left in their wake perfect conditions throughout Southern California for thriving vegetation – a super bloom resulting in lush landscapes carpeted with abundant wildflowers.
The storms also replenished many of our major water supply reservoirs and significantly refilled our groundwater basin, resulting in higher-than-average levels compared to many years when these resources remained in limited supply indefinitely.
These same storms have another, less favorable effect on our community, as Newport Beach is at the end of the water “pipe” when it comes to trash and debris flow. Much of the trash deposited on our local beaches and in our bay originates inland. It is transported here during rain events through storm drains, flood control channels, and rivers and creeks. The result, a significant increase in trash and debris hurtling downstream and depositing in our midst. This includes pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, animal and human waste, and oil and car debris, as well as common trash.
The city takes the impact of this trash very seriously. Street sweeping covers 36,000 miles a year keeping debris from reaching our waterways. Maintenance crews clear close to 800 tons of material from our beaches each year. A “debris boom” in Upper Newport Bay collects an additional 80 tons a year. The Harbor Department pitches in to clear floating debris after storm events. Other measures include storm drain and catch basin capture devices and marina trash skimmers deployed throughout the bay.
Conceptual photo showing trash interceptor positioned in San Diego Creek just above entry into the Back Bay
Another project in the works: The city is planning to install a water wheel trash interceptor 800 feet upstream from Upper Newport Bay. The 17-foot-tall wheel on a 70-square-foot barge (picture a conch shell crossed with a steamboat) will be permanently docked to intercept up to 80% of the trash flowing from inland Orange County before it can hit Newport Harbor and the open ocean.
In addition to city efforts, there are steps each of us can take to be mindful of our beautiful coastline:
– Place all waste in the appropriate containers, whether organic, recyclable, or regular trash.
– Pick up after pets. Animal waste can carry disease and parasites harmful to marine life as well as contaminate swimming areas with bacteria.
– Use environmentally friendly products inside and outside the home. Non-organic insect and rodent pesticides and fertilizers can enter and harm ocean and bay environments and wildlife.
– Practice good automotive maintenance. Use biodegradable and phosphate-free car washing products. Repair leaks and contain oil drippings for proper disposal.
– Eliminate single-use items like straws and carry-away food containers.
– Consciously reduce the amount of waste you create by reusing, repurposing, and recycling.
The good news is that more and more people are ready to work together to keep our city, beaches and bay in good shape. It’s easy to make a positive impact – get educated on waterwise environmental practices, implement safe household routines and volunteer for one of the many community beach cleanups that occur throughout the year.
Link: https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/14903-guest-column-hon-robyn-gran-041823
Newport Harbor Foundation Chairman Dennis Durgan has announced the addition of Newport Beach Harbor Commission Chairman William “Skip” Kenney to the Foundation’s board of directors.
Kenney joins former Newport Beach Harbormaster Dennis Durgan, Val Lyon, and Devon Kelly.
“As we build out our board of directors Skip Kenney’s almost eight years of service as a harbor commissioner and over forty years of business experience is a welcome addition to the Foundation’s board,” said Dugan. “Skip was instrumental in the complex redrafting Title 17 of our Harbor Code so it reflects current conditions in the bay. He listened to the multitude of stakeholders and worked with his colleagues to help create a blueprint for the harbor that helps the Foundation with our goal of taking it to the next level.”
“My service on the Harbor Commission will end next June,” said Kenney. “I am excited about transitioning to the Newport Harbor Foundation and their mission to preserve our most important asset while improving it for future generations. I appreciate the Board’s confidence in me to help realize their mission.”
Kenney has been involved in the shopping center industry for over 40 years, many of which were spent at Donahue Schriber, a well known Southern California based shopping center developer. He formed The Kenney Company in May 1995 to pursue new development opportunities and challenges.
He is a past Chairman, President, and Treasurer of the California Business Properties Association, and a past State Governmental Affairs Chairman for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
He currently is the Chief Financial Officer of Balboa Yacht Club and has been serving on the City of Newport Beach Harbor Commission since 2014, including three terms as Chairman.
The Newport Harbor Foundation was incorporated in 2019 as a 501C3 non-profit educational corporation dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Newport Harbor. At a recent kick-off luncheon, the Foundation raised $550,000 towards their goal of $2.5 million to purchase police boats and fire boat for the harbor.
Longtime Newport Beach resident Devon Kelly has joined the Newport Harbor Foundation board of directors.
“Devon brings a wealth of harbor history and knowledge to the Foundation’s mission. She has spent her entire life sailing on the bay and volunteering in the community. Her boundless energy is welcome as we push towards taking our harbor to the next level for all to enjoy,” said Newport Harbor Foundation Chairman Dennis Durgan.
“I’ve sailed throughout the United States and Mediterranean and believe Newport Harbor is a treasure that needs to be maintained and managed properly for future generations,” said Kelly. “I look forward to working with the Foundation to develop programs to improve water quality and enhance the harbor’s ecosystem for recreation, boating, and commerce.”
Kelly was born and raised in Newport Beach and grew up sailing and cruising to Catalina. She attended Newport Harbor High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She and her husband Gregg have two children who live locally. Kelly taught school at Carden Hall Elementary in Newport Beach, and coached field hockey at Newport Harbor High School. She has served on the Newport Harbor High School Educational Foundation and also was a Board member on the Lido Isle Community Association.
The Newport Harbor foundation was incorporated in 2019 as a 501C3 non-profit educational corporation dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Newport Harbor. At a recent kick-off luncheon, NHF raised $550,000 toward their goal of $2.5 million to purchase police boats and fire boats for the harbor.
Photograph by D Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 3.0It’s been more than five decades since Newport Beach City Councilman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield started his Duffy Electric Boat company.
Duffield built his first boat when he was 16 years old. His company has sold tens of thousands of boats and become synonymous with Newport Beach, where Duffy rides on the harbor are the norm.
“I’ve had to endure decades of laughter,” he told a crowd — also laughing — on Thursday at the Balboa Bay Resort. “To be known as a builder of the world’s slowest boat is something that I really didn’t think I wanted on this planet. I wanted to be a famous sailboat designer and racer dude, and I sort of kind of am, but not really.”
Still, Duffield now hopes the Newport Harbor Foundation can also similarly be built from the ground up.
The foundation, launched in 2019 before being curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, held a kickoff champagne brunch Thursday.
It announced that it had raised more than $275,000 at the event, which also served as a celebration of 50 years of Duffy boats. That number was doubled to $550,000, as foundation chairman Dennis Durgan said there was an anonymous matching gift.
The Newport Harbor Foundation’s stated goal is to take back local control of Newport Harbor, which is now patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and start a Newport Harbor Public Safety Department.
Durgan, himself a former harbormaster, said the foundation wants to initially raise $2.5 million for the purchase of a fire boat and four police patrol boats.
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