WORLD NEWS news briefs

By Katherine M. Clements

LOCAL Orange County Coastkeeper Urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Fix Environmentally Harmful Newport CAD Project

The proposed Newport CAD facility would jeopardize marine life and put Newport Bay at risk of contamination due to an insufficiently thin layer of sediment atop toxic chemicals.

NEWPORT BEACH — Orange County Coastkeeper has demanded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Newport Beach take further action to protect Newport Bay and its biota from the disposal of dredged, contaminated sediment in the City’s proposed Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) facility.

The City of Newport Beach proposed the CAD facility to address underwater sediment buildup in the harbor’s main channel. However, samples of the polluted sediment showed exceedances too high in mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to qualify for disposal in the EPA-approved offshore dump site known as LA-3.

In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City plans to dredge areas of Newport Bay and bury the removed sediment in a hole under the harbor’s turning basin. Because the dredged material is highly polluted with toxic chemicals, the City will eventually cover the hole with layers of less contaminated sediment to act as a partial barrier.

On January 5, 2023, Coastkeeper sent the Army Corps a 60-day notice of intent to file a lawsuit for failing to consider the project’s potential impacts on federally threatened species. Under the Endangered Species Act, the Army Corps was obligated to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service about the project’s effects on specific species, including green sea turtles.

Though still recovering from historic overharvesting, green sea turtles are present in many Southern California waterways, particularly those rich in seagrass like Newport Bay. Green sea turtles have been sighted in Newport Bay more recently, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expect Southern California to see green sea turtles more frequently soon.

Coastkeeper first expressed its Endangered Species Act concerns to the Army Corps in early 2022 through the National Environmental Policy Act public comment process. The letter also addressed the Army Corps’ failure to consider, among other things, adequately:

1. Project alternatives such as remediation.

2. A thicker interim cap layer to better protect against the escape of toxic pollutants.

3. Impacts on marine mammals, including dolphin species known to enter Newport Bay.

According to the Coastkeepers, the Army Corps did not consider these comments before drafting its final Environmental Assessment and Finding No Significant Impact on the project.

Coastkeeper hopes the Army Corps and City will correct the project’s inadequacies for the health of Newport Bay; however, Coastkeeper is prepared to take legal action if not.

Port of San Diego Issues Statement on Mitsubishi Cement Proposal

SAN DIEGO — “Negotiations between the Port of San Diego and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) are not moving forward at this time. The Port is open to future negotiations with MCC that meet the goals of our Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), which strives to support our maritime businesses that help the regional economy thrive while also significantly improving air quality for our neighbors and those who visit and work on our waterfront. We appreciate the community and stakeholder engagement throughout the process with MCC and also believe that meaningful engagement with portside communities and all stakeholders is wise and benefits all parties. We would urge MCC to continue their most recent path should the day come when they want to re-open negotiations. In the meantime, the Port continues to collaborate with our current tenants to meet the goals of our MCAS and is open to businesses that share our dedication to a zero emissions future,” said Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners in a press release from Feb. 1.

STATE/NATIONAL/ INTERNATIONAL Horizon Yachts Launches Tri-Deck FD100

A new tri-deck FD100 has launched and will soon deliver to her experienced owners. This is the first Horizon yacht built for American clients, who worked closely with the Horizon Yacht USA team to incorporate a design that emphasizes entertainment with family and friends.

The five-stateroom yacht is the second tri-deck FD100 sold after the model concept was introduced at the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The vessel’s layout has been customized to suit the owners’ lifestyles. Accessed via a Besenzoni three-stage passerelle to port, the spacious aft deck features a large seating area with a Hi/Lo table, an electric fold-down 65” television to port, a full bar with two fixed barstools to starboard and plentiful storage. Four fishing rod holders are included in the storage in this area, while

• Modified/stabilized permanent cuprous oxide molecules generate strong ion field (low voltage shield)

• Ion field repels microbes (base of marine food chain)

• Algae can’t feed & hence hard marine growth not attracted

• Cuprous oxide is encapsulated in ceramic/polymer shell which inhibits leaching of toxins*

• Coating life expected: 10+ years

• Cleaned with simple galley sink sponge to wipe off any marine plant growth - every 60-90 days

• Hard, slick surface for speed & fuel economy