NEWPORT BEACH : Park Status Sought for Upper Bay

Abundant wildlife and a chance to view scenic coastal wetlands have drawn visitors and tourists to Upper Newport Bay for years, making it one of the state’s most sought-out estuaries.

But while pedestrians stroll along Back Bay Drive, taking in the sights, bicyclists and motorists speed by, creating a traffic problem for all.

And residents who live along the bluffs that line the state ecological reserve complain of loud noise in the evenings from teens partying and driving recklessly on the narrow drive, endangering wildlife and waterfowl living in the delicate marshes.

“A lot of people consider walking along there one of the most exciting experiences of the Back Bay,” said Robert Fisher, director of the county’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks division of the Environmental Management Agency. But with cars, pedestrians and bicycle traffic all competing for space, the experience is more of an “unsafe, unsatisfactory” one, he said.

That’s why the county, with support from area residents, is attempting to take control of the road. In addition, the county is negotiating with the state Fish and Game Department, which maintains the reserve, for more control over it.

Both the road and the reserve would be incorporated into a new, 140-acre regional park, expected to be completed by 1993.

A primary feature of the proposed regional park, one of 22 existing or planned in Orange County, would be a 10,000-square-foot information center that would house restrooms, supplies and a park ranger’s office. The building, which would be recessed into the ground to avoid obstructing natural views, also would have information for self-guided tours, Fisher said.

Meanwhile, next month the state Senate Transportation Committee will hold hearings on a bill that would allow the county to assume responsibility for Back Bay Drive, according to state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), who introduced the bill last month.

Under the measure, local governing bodies could assume responsibility for maintaining, operating and controlling roads in or near ecological reserves or environmentally sensitive areas.

The bill calls for the local agency to be able to limit vehicular access to certain hours or certain days; designate separate areas for pedestrians; provide special access for handicapped drivers, and issue temporary permits for special one-day events. Bergeson said the bill was written with Newport Beach in mind and “very few” other cities would qualify for the transfer of roads because they are not near reserves or other sensitive areas.

After the bill clears the Senate Transportation Committee, it will go to Senate floor, then to the Assembly, she said. If approved, it would take effect in January, 1992.

Last January, the City Council began looking at the idea of turning over Back Bay Drive to the county and authorized City Atty. Bob Burnham to work with Bergeson to draft a bill.

Officials took the action in response to complaints from citizens and the county’s desire to develop a recreational park.

Burnham said the city’s main concerns are preserving the natural wildlife and providing a safe environment for visitors. However, he said, the city is not willing to give up control of the road just yet.

“All we’re doing is taking a look at restrictions on vehicular traffic to minimize the conflict between bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicular traffic,” Burnham said.

Fisher said he expects the county to reach agreements with both the city and state in the next six months.

“The Upper Newport Bay area is considered one of the most important estuaries along the California coast,” Fisher said. “It’s one of the key places of Orange County’s geography, a critical stopping point on the Pacific flyway (the route used by birds that fly south for the winter). It will be a delightful place for people to come see and learn about the area.”