Newport Bay Harbor, CA O&M

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: The harbor is in Orange County, approximately 24 miles southeast of the City of Los Angeles. Project elements consist of an entrance channel, main channel, 
secondary channels, turning basin, and east and west jetties. The harbor is a Critical Harbor of Refuge for the area. The U.S. Coast Guard is stationed in the harbor providing homeland security. The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol also operates in the harbor providing search and rescue, law enforcement operations, and supporting the homeland security mission. The harbor is also home to commercial fishing, sport fishing extensive commercial charter services, and ferry boat services within the harbor and to Catalina Island. 

AUTHORIZATION:
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937, 1945

ACTIVITIES FOR FY 2024:
Funding is being used to conduct additional  environmental compliance to bolster legal defense 
of the project. SPL-ERB is preparing Biological Evaluations and supplemental NEPA Documentation.

IIJA ACTIVITIES: 
Funds used to award a contract for dredging of all available material, both suitable and unsuitable for ocean disposal, in the federal channels and conduct a structure survey. 

FY 2025 PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
If the ongoing litigation is resolved, optimal funds could be used to award a project to dredge the federal channels.  

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION: 
Project is currently paused due to ongoing litigation. Additional environmental compliance is necessary. The project’s Non-Federal Sponsor, the City of Newport Beach has contributed $10M for the current dredging effort.  

As of 24JAN2024

FINANCIAL SUMMARY:                                          O&M 

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST: Representative Steel (CA-45), Representative Porter (CA-47)