HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - Use Fees at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve Correspondence 07-01-13Officers:
Terry Welsh,M.D.
President
Suzanne Forster
Vice President
Deborah Koken
Secretary
Jennifer Frutig, PhD.
Treasurer
_ Banning Ranch
Conservancy
June
:27"
Carlton H. Bonham
Director, Department of Fish and Wildlife
1416 9t' Street, 12"i Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
"RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA
PRINTED" 7 Y
& -e? S--13
Date 7////3
Cop i Sent To:
City Council
City Manager
City Attorney
__77 Fife
Subject: Lands Pass requirement for Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
Dear Director Bonham:
Steve Ray
Executive Director
The Baru-ing Ranch Conservancy is a steadfast supporter of open space and
public access, and we applaud the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Board members: (CDFW) for its stewardship of the critical Upper Newport Bay Ecological
Patricia Barnes Reserve (UMBER). UNBER and the surrounding County of Orange Nature
Mark Tabbed Preserve comprise a priceless recreational and ecological resource for the region
Diane silvers and the state of California.
Jan vandersloot, M.D. We are aware of the restrictive budget situation that faces CDFW. However, we
In Memoriam believe that the nature of UNBER is not conducive to collecting fees under the
Lands Pass system. There are too many access points that allow residents and
neighbors to access the Upper Newport Bay. Construction of a fence or wall to
restrict entry would be very expensive as well as negatively affecting the
ecological and aesthetic values of the UNBER's resources in many areas. An
effort to collect the Lands Pass fee at UNBER would probably consume more
revenue than it would generate.
There is a partnership between CDFW, the City of Newport Beach, the County of
Orange, the California Coastal Commission, responsible environmental stewards
and residents which benefits all parties. The City maintains the Back Bay Drive
Address: across the eastern side of UNBER at its own cost. Residents of Newport Beach
and other local jurisdictions, including members of the Banning Ranch
P.O. Box 16071 Conservancy, have contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours on restoration
Newport Beach, CA efforts, educational programs, the Back Bay Science Center, and even
92659 -6071 enforcement and rescue efforts in UNBER. Fencing UNBER and collecting the
(310) 961 -7610 fee associated with the Lands Pass will change that long- standing relationship. It
may also hamper volunteer recruitment and participation
There is a long history of no -fee partnership between Newport Beach and local
cities, other jurisdictions, responsible NGO's, residents and CDFW. Therefore,
we urge you to reconsider the Lands Pass requirement at UNBER.
The Banning Ranch Conservancy, like the City of Newport Beach, will urge the Governor and
odr state legislators to ensure that CDFW gets funding for UNBER from the state budget.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. We also thank CDFW and especially your
local staff for their dedicated service at the Upper Newport Bay.
Sincerely,
l
Terry Welsh
President
All�
Banning Ranch Conservancy
Copy to: Members of the Newport Beach City Council
State Senator Mimi Walters (35th Senate District)
State Assemblymember Allan Mansoor (74th Assembly District)
Howard Cork, President, Newport Bay Conservancy