Proposed boundary proves unsatisfactory to some homeowners.
NEWPORT BEACH – After more than four years of evaluating the mooring areas throughout Newport Harbor, the Newport Mooring Master Plan Subcommittee (MMPSC) is in the final stages of the project. Subcommittee members sought input from the Harbor Commission regarding the proposed layout for the “H” mooring boundary, which was met with concerns from a few homeowners during a Sept. 4 meeting.

As subcommittee members began to review proposed changes for the “H” and “J” mooring areas, they decided that deploying buoys in the mooring fields for a trial run would be beneficial. The first test was begun in June and the second was done earlier this month. During this time, 10 buoys were re-deployed during a Thursday until Monday time frame, to test the boundary during weekend boat traffic and races.

Concerns from homeowners along 13th Street and West Bay, and yacht clubs, began to be raised surrounding the mooring configuration along the eastern boundary of the “H” mooring field.

“We discovered some folks are concerned and some are not,” said Chris Miller, manager of Harbor Resources.

The item was brought before the Harbor Commission to gather input from commissioners, as well as the public.

The proposal recommends that the eastern boundary of the mooring field be shifted westward. This would allow for six additional moorings that will be used for vessels that need to be relocated due to boundary changes elsewhere. The six moorings are not new, but are simply relocations. The proposal would also remove the opportunity to add an additional row in the future.

While subcommittee members were able to receive approval of the boundaries from the yacht clubs through discussions and outreach, homeowners remained opposed to the changes citing “impact to the recreation of the harbor and view blockage.”

During a meeting between harbor resources’ staff, MMPSC members and homeowners, a compromise was struck that would allow only two vessels to be positioned next to the existing three vessels and the boundary line would shift inward. The compromise would eliminate filling in this row of boats.

“The primary issue is one of losing the opportunity to see racing activity, and safety,” said Kevin Finn, a resident and boater.

Commissioner Ralph Rodheim added that he could not support the six-vessel row.

“My preference is to get rid of the three,” Rodheim said. “The more water we can find in the harbor, the better. I have always said and will continue to say that we need to think outside the box.”

The installation of offshore moorings, determining how to utilize abandoned moorings in the harbor and maintaining open water was also suggested.

The comments will be taken back to the MMPSC for discussion.

The MMPSC was formed after the city learned that several vessels in the mooring areas throughout the harbor were outside their mooring boundaries. Subcommittee members were then asked to examine the boundaries, and recommend changes that would minimally impact navigability, mooring serviceability and overall functionality of the mooring area.

Several of the proposed boundary changes have been brought to the Harbor Commission and to the community for input.