Newport officials ask Congress for $6 million to clean up harbor

Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle and City Manager Dave Kiff met with members of Congress in Washington D.C. on Thursday to ask for $6 million in federal appropriations to clean up Newport Harbor.
“Newport Bay contributes to the wealth of our community. It lifts us, our recreation, our economy, our sense of well being,” Daigle said. “It is the blood of this community, a life force. That is why it’s maintenance is a priority.”
The $6 million would pay for the year of what is expected to be a multi-year, $15 million cleanup project, Daigle said.

On Thursday, Daigle and Kiff met with Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, as well as Reps. John Campbell (R-Newport Beach);  Ed Royce (R-Orange);  Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) and Ken Calvert (R-Riverside).
Congress isn’t expected to approve any appropriations until after the November election, so city officials probably won’t know until this fall if Daigle and Kiff’s visit made a lasting impression.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates about $1.2 cubic yards of sediment need to be dredged out of Newport Harbor. If Congress approves funding for the project, work would probably begin in early 2011, Daigle said. A second phase of the project would begin early 2012 if more federal money is forthcoming.