HomeMy WebLinkAbout- Item 2 - Review HC Objectives for 2013-14 Newport Harbor Commission Objectives
FY 2013 - 14
As approved by the Commission on September 11, 2013
and the City Council on October 22, 2013
These objectives are intended to support the mission of the Harbor Area
Management Plan and to carry out the role and key responsibilities of the
Harbor Commission: (1) to ensure the long term welfare of Newport Harbor
for all residential, recreational, and commercial users; (2) to promote
Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for all to enjoy.
These proposed objectives are subject to the review and approval of the
Commission, and final approval of the Newport Beach City Council. Principal
responsibility for the achievement of each objective is assigned to a
subcommittee of the Harbor Commission, as noted below. Progress towards
these objectives will be reported, when appropriate, by the chair of each
subcommittee during regular meetings of the Harbor Commission. The chair
of each subcommittee is shown in italics.
Ensuring the Long Term Welfare of Newport Harbor
1) Support all efforts to achieve final interagency approval of the Newport Shallow Waters
Eelgrass Mitigation Plan,facilitating a new Regional General Permit (RGP 54) effective April
2014. The purpose of the Plan is to enable a more efficient and cost-effective RGP 54
permitting process for dock maintenance dredging through an ecosystem-based approach
to sustaining and promoting the population of shallow water eelgrass in all areas of Lower
Newport Bay where such eelgrass is found. [West, McIntosh,Avery]
2) Complete the development of recommendations for the best public use of Lower
Castaways, the last remaining undeveloped city-owned waterfront property. Collaborate
with the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission in developing specific
recommendations for presentation to the City Council. [Girling,Avery, Rhyne]
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3) Secure California Department of Recreation approval for a proposed amendment to the
Harbor Code which would grant an exception to the harbor speed limit for sanctioned sail
racing and human powered racing events.With such authorization, recommend the
proposed amendment to the City Council for enactment. [Blank,West]
4) Investigate the existing designations of Bulkhead and Pierhead lines throughout the
harbor in conjunction with current vessel overhang regulations and compliance. Determine
if specific changes to those harbor boundaries and overhang regulations or their
enforcement should be recommended to the City Council. Develop specific
recommendations to the Council if any changes are deemed appropriate. [Rhyne,
McIntosh, Stapleton]
5) Strengthen the Harbor Commission's public outreach to better communicate the
Commission's role,purpose, and objectives as a citizen's advisory voice for the harbor
community. [Girling,Avery, Blank]
Promoting Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming Destination
6) Collaborate with Newport Beach &Company to plan and execute a Harbor Summit event
involving key stakeholders in the harbor community. The Summit will engage the
stakeholders in the development of coordinated strategies for increasing the number of
visiting vessels, enhancing the harbor experience for visitors and residents, and better
supporting the businesses that serve all harbor users. [Blank, Girling,West]
7) Carry forward the results of last year's evaluation of existing public piers and potential
new locations for public piers. Present specific recommendations to the City Council on
public pier improvements and additions to facilitate better access to harbor area business
and amenities serving both visiting and local boaters. [Blank, Girling]
8) Complete the evaluation of public anchorage alternatives, specifically addressing the
concept of establishing an anchorage in the Turning Basin such as the one used on a
temporary basis during the 2012 Lower Bay dredging project. [Avery, McIntosh,West]
9) Update and publish a 3rd edition of The Complete Cruising Guide to Newport Harbor, first
published by the Harbor Commission in 2010. [West, Rhyne, Stapleton]