HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Grant Request for Upper Newport Bay RestorationITEM 6
TO: Members of the Newport Beach City Council
FROM: Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2001 -_ Supporting Community Conservancy International's
Grant Request for Upper Newport Bay Restoration
RECOMMENDED Adopt Resolution 2001 -_ stating the City's support for a grant request to the
ACTION: State Coastal Conservancy for a restoration project in Upper Newport Bay to be
conducted by Community Conservancy International (CCI).
BACKGROUND: Newport Bay is Newport Beach's most treasured environmental asset. From the
ecological reserve and parkland in the Upper Bay to the boating, residential, and
visitor - serving uses in the Lower Bay, Newport Bay is home to six endangered
species, the nation's largest small craft harbor, tour and charter boat operations,
more than sixty different commercial ventures, rowing clubs, yacht races,
millions of visitors annually, and more.
As the Council heard at its Study Session on April 24, 2001, the City addresses
the Bay and related water resources with four goals in mind:
O Clean Water. Clean the water & keep it clean (from trash, oils, toxics, soaps,
bacteria, viruses). In some cases, reduce flows to natural (pre- development)
levels to protect sensitive ocean habitat (as in Buck Gully).
® Sediment Management. Manage the sediment (put sand on beaches and on
the shoreline, remove sediment from navigational channels and the Upper
Bay)
® Habitat Protection. Preserve and promote good habitat like Eelgrass, Kelp,
Upper Newport Bay marine life and waterfowl, and offshore marine life
refuges (Newport's Area of Special Biological Significance).
O Diversity of Uses. Preserve and protect the diverse uses and marine
heritage in Lower Newport Bay.
Upper Newport Bay - including its ecological reserve (administered by the
California Department of Fish and Game), its regional park (administered by the
County of Orange) and the access provided by Back Bay Drive (administered by
the City) - is one of California's more challenging resources to manage and
protect. Several major - and complex Upper Bay projects involving a multitude
of agencies are underway today, including:
• Upper Newport Bay Ecological Restoration Feasibility Study. This US Army Corps
of Engineers -led (US ACE) study is the "Big Dredge" now set for the latter part of
2003. The dredging project will be about three times as large as the last dredging
Newport Beach City Council
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project, with funds coming from Proposition 12 (approved by the voters in March
2000) and from the federal government. This $31 million project, now in "plans and
specifications' phase, is cost - shared 65%-35% between the federal government and
state /local partners.
• Newport Bay /San Diego Creek Watershed Feasibility Study. This US ACE -led
Study looks at ways to reduce sediment and nutrient deposits in the Upper Bay by
keeping the sediment at its source The Study will also identify locations in the San
Diego Creek watershed to preserve and restore habitat.
• Sediment/Nutrient TMDL Compliance. To comply with recently- adopted total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) that limit sediment and nutrients into the Bay, the
City helps fund ongoing monitoring and maintenance of upstream environments to
meet the TMDL's limits.
Newport Bay
Even with these three major efforts, the Upper Bay arguably still will face
significant problems in the future relating to the region's heavy use of the Bay as
a park, reserve, and local resource. These problems include:
— Excessive intrusion by boaters and kayakers into sensitive UNB habitat areas;
— Erosion of the City-, County-, and privately -owned slopes that abut the Bay;
Infestation by non -native plants; and
— Contaminated runoff from Bay- adjacent residential and business areas.
Aware of these concerns, local environmentalists like Jim Cokas and Jack Keating
of the Upper Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends discussed the Upper Bay's
challenges with Esther Feldman of the Community Conservancy International
(www.ccint.org). CCI describes itself as "a non - profit organization dedicated to
preserving natural lands and waters worldwide and implementing conservation-
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compatible projects to protect local communities..." CCI's most recent role has
been to advocate and plan for park and open space in the Baldwin Hills (near
Ballona Creek in western Los Angeles). CCI succeeded in working with the
Davis Administration to provide for $36 million in funding for the Baldwin Hills
effort.
After taking with Cokas and Keating, Ms. Feldman prepared a grant application
for about $900,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy for what she calls the
"Upper Newport Bay Resource Protection and Enhancement" project. CCI's
grant proposal suggests:
• Creating a comprehensive plan and timeline for restoring habitat impacting
the wetlands of UNB and for preventing erosion, non - native invasive plant
and urban runoff impacts on the wetlands;
• Protecting wetland resources by developing integrated signage and boat
vendor information to prevent illegal public uses of the UNB; and
• Educating and involving stakeholders in the area to change existing practices
that damage wetlands (golf course runoff, boating practices, trespassing in
nesting areas, more).
Ms. Feldman has found some receptivity on the part of the SCC to fund her grant
proposal, but her proposal is helped if the SCC understands that there is a
coordinated group of agencies and organizations in support of the grant. I
believe Ms. Feldman's track record in this field - combined with the real -life
concerns raised and addressed in her application - warrant the City's full
support of CCI's grant proposal.
THIS AGENDA This Agenda Item asks the City Council to approve a resolution in support
ITEM: of Community Conservancy International's grant proposal for habitat
improvement in Upper Newport Bay.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Resolution 2001 -_ Supporting Community Conservancy
International's Grant Request for Upper Newport Bay
Restoration
Attachment B - Summary of CCI's Grant Request
`5
Page 4
Resolution 2001-
A RESOLUTION OF THE NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL
IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY INTERNATIONAL'S
UPPER NEWPORT BAY RESOURCE PROTECTION
AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
WHEREAS, Upper Newport Bay is one of Southern California's most treasured
environmental resources; and
WHEREAS, Upper Newport Bay's wetland resources are home to more than six listed or
endangered species worthy of the City of Newport Beach's active protection; and
WHEREAS, Upper Newport Bay, as an urban estuary that receives stormwater and other
drainage from more than 150 square miles of urbanization, agriculture, and open space; and
WHEREAS, the wetlands of Upper Newport Bay also face challenges from problems closer
to the Bay, including runoff from area residences and businesses, erosion from slopes, intrusion
of non -native habitat, and illegal trespassing in sensitive habitat areas of the Bay; and
WHEREAS, Community Conservancy International has proposed a habitat restoration
project that would access funding from the State Coastal Conservancy to address each of the
issues affecting Upper Newport Bay's wetlands; and
WHEREAS, Community Conservancy International has communicated with several area
stakeholders in proposing their project, including the County of Orange, the California
Department of Fish and Game, and the Upper Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Newport Beach that the City hereby states
its formal and enthusiastic support of CCI's grant proposal for Upper Newport Bay and that it
encourages the State Coastal Conservancy to favorably review and fund CCI's project at its
earliest convenience.
ADOPTED this 22nd day of May, 2001.
GAROLD B. ADAMS
Mayor of Newport Beach
ATTEST:
LAVONNE HARKLESS
City Clerk
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Upper Newport Bay
310.475.0797
fax 310.475.6797
www.CCINT.org
Resource Protection & Enhancement
Submitted by
Community Conservancy International
April 2001
Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project
2001 -02 Work Plan Update Request for Proposals
10951 W. Pico Blvd.
Suite 2 0 1
Los Angeles, CA 90064
USA
5
Upper Newport Bay Resource
Protection 8 Enhancement
Community Conservancy International
Page 3 of 6
Project Proposal
Upper Newport Bay Resource Protection & Enhancement
Project Location
Upper Newport Bay is located in Orange County, surrounded by the Cities of Newport Beach
and Irvine. The Bay is in the San Diego Creek watershed. Freshwater from San Diego Creek,
the Santa Ana Delhi Channel, Big Canyon and 23rd Street Springs drainages, urban runoff from
multiple. smaller drainages, and salt water from the Pacific Ocean all flow into the Bay. Upper.
Newport Bay has the largest set of representative wetland sub - habitat types of all estuaries from
Point Conception to the Mexican border. It is the largest relatively intact wetlands system in this
region, and also one of the most heavily -used by the public.
Project Support
The Upper Newport Bay Resource Protection & Enhancement project is endorsed by the
California Department of Fish and Game, Orange County, Endangered Habitats League,
California Wildlife Foundation, Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, and Newport Bay
Naturalists and Friends.
Need and Goals
The land immediately adjacent to the wetlands of the Upper Newport Bay (see attached map)
pose a distinct threat to the health of the Bay's sensitive ecosystem. Unchecked erosion results
in sediments filling habitat areas; unfiltered runoff drains urban wastes into the wetlands; highly
invasive non - native plants encroach on wetland areas; and illegal and inappropriate public uses
threaten endangered species nesting sites. Decades of neglect and misuse of these buffer
lands, as well as jurisdictional gaps in management have led to their degradation and to
continued serious negative impacts on the Bay's resources. Without prompt restoration of these
lands, they will continue to degrade, undermining publicly- funded efforts to protect the Bay's
sensitive wetlands and wildlife. Most of these wetland buffer areas now lie under the jurisdiction
of various government agencies. Although numerous studies have been done to address
management and restoration of the wetlands, no comprehensive, integrated plan has been
developed that specifically addresses the many serious damaging impacts to the wetlands from
all immediately adjacent lands.
Upper Newport Bay is heavily used by the public, including extensive, uncontrolled boating
traffic. Trespassing in nesting areas and other sensitive sites is common. No signage system
exists at the many points of access, and in -water signage is minimal and frequently ignored. No
information on the need to avoid sensitive habitat areas is available from the many boat vendors
or other service providers in the Bay. Certain types of nutrient -rich urban runoff could be
prevented from entering the Bay. Without effective, visible signage, easily available public
information and outreach to these stakeholders, illegal and inappropriate public use will continue
to harm the Bay's habitat and the birds that depend on that habitat for survival.
This project's goals are to:
1) create a comprehensive, multi - jurisdictional, science -based plan and timeline for
restoring habitat impacting the wetlands of Upper Newport Bay and for preventing
damaging erosion, non - native invasive plant and urban runoff impacts on the
wetlands;
Upper Newport Bay Resource
Protection & Enhancement
Community Conservancy International
Page 4 of 6
2) protect sensitive wetland resources by developing integrated signage and boat
vendor information and coordinating with boating service providers to prevent illegal
public uses;
3) change existing practices that damage the wetlands (i.e.; golf course runoff; boating
practices; trespassing in nesting areas) through comprehensive involvement of
stakeholders.
Project Description
Upper Newport Bay is made up of over two square miles of wetlands, mudflats, waterways,
islands, bluffs, riparian areas and drainages. The Upper Newport Bay Project is made up of the
following key components:
1) Habitat Restoration Assessment & Enhancement Planning
Timeline: 18 months
General description: Comprehensive assessment of all existing habitat restoration needs and
issues for all adjacent resource areas directly impacting the wetlands and sensitive habitat
areas in the Bay. Includes state -of- the -art continuous water quality sampling equipment
(currently used by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Elkhorn Slough), a detailed
restoration and enhancement plan for all impacted areas, coordination with all involved public
agencies, user groups and the public, and establishment of specific restoration priorities and
guidelines. Specific focus on immediately adjacent buffer areas, including high erosion areas,
sediment sources, invasive non - native species, urban runoff drainages, and contaminated water
sources.
Specific Tasks
A. Identification of all adjacent wetlands- impacting areas (drainages, erosion zones,
pollutant sources)
B. Meetings with all involved public agencies and community organizations
C. Selection of scientific and restoration planning experts
D. Ground survey and GIS mapping
E. Collection of field data, drainage and erosion impacts
F. Compilation and analysis of data and mapping integration
G. Coordination with existing studies, plans and reports
H. Preparation of final report and restoration and enhancement plan
I. Preparation of public information materials
J. Public meetings and presentation of final plan
K. Adoption of plan by public agencies
2) Resource Protection Element
Timeline: 12 months
General Description: Identification of wetland areas with heavy negative impacts from illegal or
inappropriate public use, construction of signage at key usage points to protect sensitive habitat
areas, preparation of public information materials for all boat launch points and wetland
trailheads, meetings with responsible entities to develop better management practices for Bay
resource protection. Coordination with all existing management groups, task forces, service
providers and other entities involved in Upper Newport Bay. To be conducted in partnership with
resource management agencies, elected officials, boating vendors, key use groups and other
Upper Newport Bay Resource
Protection 8 Enhancement
Community Conservancy International
Page 5 of 6
service providers. Specific targets include nesting sites of enQangered species, sensitive
habitat areas, high erosion areas, and key urban runoff drainages.
Specific Tasks:
A. Identification of wetland areas impacted by illegal or inappropriate public use
B. Prioritization of most heavily- impacted areas
C. Meetings with resource management agencies, boating vendors
D. Identification of preventable sediment and water contaminant sources
E. Meetings with responsible entities
F. Development of better management practices to prevent erosion, contamination
G. Design and production of signage, vendor and public information materials
H. Installation of signage and boating- oriented public information materials
I. Public meetings and distribution of materials
J. Follow -up monitoring
Community Conservancy International
Community Conservancy International (CCI) is a non - profit organization dedicated to the
conservation of natural lands and waters and the protection of local communities. CCI works to
combine protecting and restoring sensitive natural areas with appropriate and compatible
community or economic uses. CCI is particularly well- suited to address habitat protection
issues in Upper Newport Bay because of the organization's ability to address the complex
biological, technical, political, landowner and public components of resource conservation
projects, particularly those in urban areas.
CCI is leading the successful effort to protect and restore the two- square mile Baldwin Hills in
the heart of urban Los Angeles County. This project involves the conversion and restoration of
900 acres of degraded oil drilling lands. As a result of CCI's efforts, Governor Davis made the
Baldwin Hills one of his top conservation priorities in his 2000 -01 budget, earmarking $36 million
for the area. Working with over 100 stakeholder groups, including public agencies, landowners,
and homeowner, business, and user groups, and in partnership with the California State Coastal
Conservancy and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, CCI is completing a
three -year, community -based master planning process for the Baldwin Hills. With funding from
the Coastal Conservancy, CCI directed an 18 -month comprehensive Ecological Assessment of
the Baldwin Hills. Restoration efforts are now underway in this important part of the Ballona
Creek Watershed.
CCI's President Esther Feldman specializes in large, complex conservation projects requiring
the involvement of a wide diversity of players. She has led numerous successful public funding
and resource conservation efforts in California and elsewhere in the United States. She started
the Los Angeles River Greenway Program for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation
Authority and for the Trust for Public Land, overseeing the early acquisitions along the LA River.
She is responsible for generating over $2 billion in public funds to protect and improve park,
recreation and natural lands since 1988 through voter - approved ballot measures.
A member of the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission for three years, Ms.
Feldman has a broad understanding of land use issues, legal requirements and public agency
needs. Former employers include the Planning and Conservation League, the Santa Monica
Mountains Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land. She has a Bachelor of Science in Soil
and Water Science from the University of California, Davis.
0
Upper Newport Bay Resource
Protection & Enhancement
Community Conservancy International
Page 6 of 6
Attachments
Project Budget
Regional Map
Project Area Map
Photographs of examples of problems
Letters of support from Orange County, Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends
310.475.0797
�urnty C ervancy ax310.475.6797
www.CCINT.org
Upper Newport Bay
Resource Protection £t Enhancement Project
Project Summary
Upper Newport Bay's sensitive wetlands continue to be damaged by unchecked erosion, urban runoff and
invasion of non - native plants from adjacent areas and by illegal public and boating - related uses. The Upper
Newport Bay Resource Protection and Enhancement Project will:
♦ create a science -based plan and timeline for restoring areas negatively impacting the Bay
♦ prevent damaging erosion, non - native invasive plant and urban runoff impacts
♦ develop integrated signage for waterways, wetlands and buffer areas
♦ coordinate with boating service providers to prevent illegal public uses
♦ change existing practices that damage the wetlands
Need to Address Serious Impacts on Upper Newport Bay Habitat
The lands immediately adjacent to the wetlands of Upper Newport Bay pose a distinct threat to the Bay's
sensitive ecosystem. Unchecked erosion results in sediments filling habitat areas; unfiltered urban runoff
from numerous drainages flow into the wetlands; highly invasive non - native plants encroach on wetland
areas; and inappropriate public uses threaten endangered species nesting sites. Unless these buffer lands
are restored, they will continue to degrade, undermining publicly funded efforts to protect the Bay's
sensitive wetlands and wildlife.
Although numerous studies have been done to address management and restoration of the wetlands, no
comprehensive plan has been developed that specifically addresses the many serious damaging impacts to
the wetlands from all immediately adjacent lands. Decades of neglect and jurisdictional management gaps
have resulted in degradation of these lands and to their continued negative impacts on the Bay's resources.
Upper Newport Bay is heavily used by the public, including extensive, uncontrolled boating traffic.
Trespassing in nesting areas and other sensitive sites is common. No signage system exists at the many
points of access, and in -water signage is minimal and easily ignored. No information on the need to avoid
sensitive habitat areas is available from the many boat vendors or other service providers in the Bay.
Without effective, visible signage and easily available public information, illegal and inappropriate public
use will continue to harm the Bay's habitat and the birds that depend on that habitat for survival.
Project Support
The Upper Newport Bay Resource Protection a Enhancement Project is endorsed by the California
Department of Fish and Game, Orange County Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, City of Newport
Beach, Endangered Habitats League, California Wildlife Foundation, Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks,
and Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends.
Community Conservancy International (CCI)
CCI is a non - profit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural lands and waters and the
protection of local communities. CCI works to combine protecting and restoring sensitive natural areas with
appropriate and compatible community or economic uses, and has a track record of working with complex
resource conservation projects in urban areas. 10951 W. Pico Blvd.
Suite 2 0 1
Los Angeles, CA 90064
USA
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