HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - Use Fees at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve - Letter to CDFWMayor
Keith D. Curry
Mayor Pro Tem
Rush N. Hill, II
Council Members
Leslie J. Daigle
Nancy Gardner
Michael F. Henn
Tony Petros
Edward D. Selich
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
June 26, 2013
Mr. Carlton H. Bonham
Director, Department of Fish and Wildlife
1416 9th Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Lands Pass requirement for Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
Dear Director Bonham:
The City of Newport Beach (City) has long been a supporter of the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) as it has managed the critical Upper
Newport Bay Ecological Reserve (UNBER). We think of UNBER and the
surrounding County of Orange Nature Preserve as our backyard, and a very
special one at that. The stewardship of CDFW, while not always well- funded, has
always been strong in protecting the important ecological resource that UMBER
has become to the region and state.
Knowing the tight fiscal situation that CDFW too -often finds itself in, we can
somewhat see the rationale behind CDFW's application of its Lands Pass
requirement to places like UNBER. However, we believe that the nature of
UNBER is not conducive to collecting fees under the Lands Pass system, nor has
our long -term partnership between CDFW, the City, and the County of Orange
warranted its application.
We (and our residents) partner with you on restoration efforts, educational
programs, the Back Bay Science Center, and even enforcement and rescue in
UNBER. Dozens if not hundreds of access points allow our residents, regional
and state neighbors to access the resources within UNBER, and often they do so
on a very brief basis. Our own Back Bay Drive goes across nearly the entirety of
the eastern side of UNBER — this is a roadway that we happily maintain and
operate, at our cost, to allow people to know and love the Upper Newport Bay as
easily and safely as possible.
Respectfully, we think that CDFW's effort to collect the fee at UNBER will not be
successful. There is a long histo ry of no -fee partnership (including tens of
thousands of volunteer hours) between our City, our residents and CDFW, and
collecting the fee associated with the Lands Pass changes that long- standing
relationship. Therefore, we urge you to reconsider the Lands Pass requirement
at UNBER.
City Hall o Post Office Box 1768 a Newport Beach, California 92658 -8915
www.newportbeachea.gov o (949) 644 -3004
Recognizing the need for operational funds for UNBER, should the Lands Pass requirement be
removed from UNBER, we remain ready to advocate with you to the Governor and to our State
Legislators to ensure that CDFW gets the funding from the State budget that its UNBER
operations require.
We thank you and your local staff for your dedicated service to the Upper Newport Bay and
thank you for your consideration of this request. Should you have any questions about this
request, please do not hesitate to contact me at 949 - 644 -3001.
Sincerely,
KEITH D. CURRY
Mayor of Newport Beach
cc: Members of the Newport Beach City Council
State Senator Mimi Walters (35`h Senate District)
Howard Cork, President, Newport Bay Conservancy