East San Pedro Bay Project Moves Forward, Army Corps of Engineers to Engage Boaters

The California Coastal Commission today concurred in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] consistency determination for the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration project in East San Pedro Bay, located offshore of Long Beach.

RBOC joined local boaters and groups in urging the plan to address concerns that proposed kelp beds as currently planned would negatively impact navigation and safety in the project area. This included testimony in today’s commission meeting.

As part of the hearing outcome, the USACA has committed to engaging boater stakeholders in an effort to identify and minimize these concerns.

The first virtual stakeholder session is tentatively planned for January 19.

 

RBOC Urges Action to Protect Public Access in Orange County

RBOC is requesting that the County of Orange take action to protect access to the county’s beaches and docks for public safety and recreational users.

RBOC has contacted the OC Parks, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Patrol, and the California Coastal Commission, requesting that the County of Orange:

1.       Restore full access to including the “72 hour Dinghy Dock” and the “20 Minute Loading Dock” at the Orange County Parks Facility located at 1901 Bayside Drive in Corona Del Mar.

2.       Maintain public access to the beach and docks via water and land for public safety and recreational users.

There are no other public docks on the Corona Del Mar side of the Harbor.  Furthermore, there are few public docks in Newport Harbor and they are all highly impacted. 

RBOC’s request follows the reported actions taken by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol that have shut down docking areas at its Newport Harbor headquarters.

At issue is the protection of public access to coastal beaches and waterways. These protections, set forth in the state Coastal Act, apply to the California Coastal Commission permits that have been issued to the headquarters at 1901 Bayside Drive.

The change in access to the two docks at 1901 Bayside has had (and will continue to have) a negative impact on boaters, guests of boaters, harbor enthusiasts and mooring users in the County of Orange.

RBOC is requesting restoration of full access to these two docks which community has enjoyed and relied upon for the past many years.