State Budget Allots $2 Million to Bay Project

About $2 million for a critically needed project to dredge Upper Newport Bay has been reinstated in the state budget that could be signed this week by Gov. Pete Wilson. The money is short of the $3.9 million originally earmarked for the dredging project. The total dredging project is expected to cost $4.9 million.

Dennis Carpenter, the county’s Sacramento lobbyist, told county supervisors Tuesday that officials are attempting to work with the Coastal Commission to find other funds for the project.

Environmentalists contend the bay must be dredged because of ongoing damage to the sensitive ecological habitat for marsh birds and plants. Silt and sand flowing into the bay have created mud flats and sandbars that are forcing waterfowl and fish to feed outside of their natural habitat. The buildup also is making navigation trickier for boats.

Added to the worries is a predicted stormy winter with lots of rainfall from El Nino conditions, potentially creating new silt buildup.

Rob Richardson, manager of legislative affairs for the county, said survey work already has been done to identify where dredging is most needed.

State officials had assured the county earlier this year that the money would be available. But funding for it and a host of other projects was endangered when Wilson decided to divert $1.3 billion from the budget to pay off money owed to the state Public Employees Retirement System.