San Onofre remains a state park for 25 more years  

By Heather McRea

This week in Coast Lines: The State Parks system and federal government have signed a new 25-year lease keeping public access to San Onofre park and beach.

Plus, contaminated sediment proposed for burial in the Newport Harbor could go to the Port of Long Beach instead and as shifting lands continue to cause damage, Rancho Palos Verdes leaders offer residents alternatives for places to live.

Here’s what’s happening along the Southern California coast.

Public access

Cars line up there to access the beach, surfers from around the world compete on its waves, its mountain biking trails are top notch. And now it will stay open to the public.

After years of negotiations, a deal has reached between the state and federal governments to keep San Onofre, a popular recreational space wedged between Orange County and San Diego, open to the public as a state park. 

The announcement of a new 25-year lease came the day before the lease that’s kept public access for 50 years expired.

Read the story.

New plan

Contaminated sediment dredged from the Newport Harbor was going to be buried in a pit on the harbor’s floor, but now it appears a new plan is going to be put in place.

Progress on planning for the pit stalled last year when the Army Corps of Engineers suspended permits for the burial site following legal challenges. Now a newly released evaluation says the material instead may be used in creating a pier in the Port of Long Beach. 

“It’s a better project that they repurposed this,” said Matt Sylvester, spokesperson for Orange County Coastkeeper. “Ultimately, our goal was to be more environmentally sound. This is a great outcome. We’re seeing an even better idea than what we could have thought of.”

Read the story.

Temporary homes

As Rancho Palos Verdes continues dealing with the consequences of ongoing landslides, the City Council is looking at ways to help residents who are increasingly angry, frustrated and scared about their future.

While leaders still aren’t allowing new construction as the land continues to shift, they are clearing the way for families to move into temporary housing using cargo containers or mobile homes and such. 

“Our hearts go out to you. We are trying to do the best we can. City staff is trying to do the best we can,” Councilmember David Bradley said as some local electrical systems were turned off by the power company for safety and the governor declared a state of emergency. “We are trying to come up with real solutions, both near term to help what’s being impacted, as well as long term.”

Read the story.

What else?

The world’s best surfers gear up in San Clemente for WSL Finals.  
Read the story.

The North Beach sand replenishment project is more than halfway complete.

Read the story.

Two Guadalupe fur seals rescued in San Pedro and Orange County, far from their home, have been released by San Diego SeaWorld.

Read the story.

In the water

Orange County residents had created OneWhale, a nonprofit that was working with groups and the government in Norway to create a safe place for an overly friendly beluga whale to live, even raising more than $100,000 locally. But Hvaldimir, who captured so many hearts across the globe, has died. 

Read the story.

You are receiving this email because you are signed up for this newsletter from the Orange County Register | Unsubscribe | © 2024 The Orange County Register, 2190 S. Towne Center Place Anaheim, CA 92806