Title
Yacht Club Mooring Fields in Newport Harbor
Recommendation
The California State Lands Commission (SLC) performed a review of the City of Newport Beach's (City) 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. The Report raised policy and administrative concerns with the various permit programs in Newport Harbor, administered by the City. One such program is related to yacht club mooring fields. 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 a Harbor Commission study session on October 14, 2026, which provided an overview of yacht club mooring fields, two stakeholder meetings were held on October 28, 2026, and November 9, 2026. This matter is being returned to the Harbor Commission for review of the recently published appraisal report and further discussion. No action will be taken at this meeting; it is anticipated recommendations related to the yacht club-managed mooring fields will be presented for consideration to the Harbor Commission at its regular meeting in January 2027. Any recommendations approved by the Harbor Commission will be presented to the City Council at a future public meeting, as the final decisionmaker.
Public comments will be received at all meetings where this matter is considered.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Harbor Commission receive the presentation, accept public comment, discuss the proposed changes, and provide any initial direction to staff.