The Harbor Area Management Plan (HAMP) and Integrated Regional Coastal Watershed Management Plan (IRCWMP) are planning tools for protecting our water related resources; including maintaining the beneficial uses and economic value of the Upper and Lower Newport Bay. In 2006, the City received a $487,000 Prop 50 Phase 1 grant. Half of these funds were used in preparing the Integrated Regional and Coastal Water Management Plan (IRCMWP) and the other half were used for the Harbor Area Management Plan (HAMP).
Integrated Regional and Coastal Water Management Plan
The Integrated Regional and Coastal Water Management Plan's primary purpose is to serve as a planning tool to effectively manage this region's water resources. To fulfill this purpose, the Plan establishes goals and objectives, identifies water resource projects, discusses ways to integrate a proposed project with other projects, and prioritizes projects on a regional basis. It is intended to have a regional perspective and to further develop the relationships and spirit of collaboration that exists in this watershed. This plan may also be used by local agencies to pursue grant funds from programs that require consistency with an adopted Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. Although the Plan has no regulatory authority, the State will expect that local agency stakeholders will formally adopt or accept it by board/council resolution.
HAMP Report
The HAMP is a resource management tool to move forward with key sediment management, water quality, restoration, and public use projects. The primary goals of the plan include; maintaining the beneficial uses and economic value of both the Upper Newport Bay and Lower Newport Bay; providing framework for regulatory programs for Newport Bay; and supporting a sustainable ecosystem able to integrate with upstream watersheds and adjacent coastal area systems. As part of the HAMP, an initial study was conducted to evaluate the vulnerability of the harbor to flooding by high tides.
The HAMP includes:
- California Department of Fish and Game Preliminary Management Plan
- Upper Bay Sediment Control Plan
- Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Numerical Modeling Requirements
- Eelgrass Capacity Recommendations
- Contaminated Sediment Study
- Dredging Requirements Study
- Harbor Channel and Pierhead Lines Study
- Water Quality Best Management Practices Report
- Regional General Permits (RGP)
- Beach Replenishment Projects
- Priority Project Funding Report
- Harbor Area Management Plan
As a adjoint to the HAMP, the City has initiated a program to study the potential impact of climate change to the Harbor.
Per Grant requirements Grant progress reports were prepared to track progress on contract tasks.