Title
Discussion of State Lands Commission Report on City of Newport Beach's Public Trust Lands Management
Recommendation
The California State Lands Commission (SLC) performed a review of the City's management of its granted tidelands and issued a formal report titled, Report on the City of Newport Beach's Public Trust Lands Management (Report) on December 16, 2025 (Attachment A). The Report raised policy and administrative concerns with the City's mooring permit and residential pier permit programs. The Report identified several areas where the City could strengthen its practices to ensure compliance with its legal obligations as a trustee of State lands.
Following receipt of the Report, the City Council established the Public Lands Trust Management Ad Hoc Committee (Ad-Hoc) at its February 10, 2026, meeting. The Ad-Hoc requested the Harbor Commission, which serves as the City Council's principal advisory body on all matters relating to Newport Harbor, study the Report’s findings and make policy recommendations, which will then be presented to the full City Council for consideration.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and
2. Receive and file.