Mailbag: Careless recreation is threatening the preservation of Upper Newport Bay

Being a resident of Newport Beach has definite benefits for enjoying the magnificent scenery that surrounds us. We can take advantage of the beaches, parks, hiking trails and, most significantly, the Upper Newport Bay without traveling to another city or country.

More recently as a Newport Bay Conservancy volunteer and board member, I have become aware of just how important preserving and protecting this territory has become.

There are many more people out recreating in the area, whether biking, hiking or kayaking. Most are cognizant of how precious this area is to wildlife habitat.

However, many are not aware of the guidelines that have been implemented so this estuary remains pristine for future generations.

Living in the Bluffs area affords me the luxury of being able to walk down to Big Canyon to observe and paint the beauty of the Back Bay from all angles and vantage points.

Imagine my horror to find a woman in the mudflats claiming to be picking weeds! I was told that she has been doing this for years but obviously didn’t realize this was a protected area with vegetation for nesting endangered birds.

Then, while kayaking, I noticed there were kayakers and paddle boarders floating into channels that are clearly marked closed to any traffic.

Beaching of any crafts on any of the sand beaches or islands in the upper bay is prohibited, as is hiking in the designated habitat restoration areas that are clearly posted. We, as volunteers are only to advise, not to enforce, which can be quite a frustrating experience.

The icing on the cake this week, however, was a Duffy boat parked in the water off Big Canyon, where a boater dove into the water to cool off. As tempting as this might be, it is prohibited to boat past the Newport Aquatic Center from the lower harbor with any motorized boat.

I might give all the violators the benefit of the doubt, but it seems common sense went out of the window once COVID-19 joined us. Please rethink any of these actions because they all have dangerous consequences.

Habitat can be destroyed, and there are long-lasting effects on wildlife. We are the guests on their turf, not the other way around.

So if you are hiking with dogs, remember that Newport Beach has a leash law. If you have a kayak or paddle board, respect the channels that are closed to traffic.

If you own or rent a Duffy, please be aware that any boating past the aquatic center is strictly prohibited. Stay safe and sane in these trying times and in the future.

Sherry Marger
Newport Beach

Act would stem climate change

The opinion piece (Commentary: Local climate lobbyists see common ground for bipartisan action) in the Daily Pilot is a very important topic, with heat waves, fires and hurricanes showing the power of climate change to make lives tough. I would like to add some points.

The loss of high-priced coastal homes and beaches might be expensive, as mentioned. More expensive could be loss of lives and livelihoods for many living on small islands, wars like that in Syria caused by climate change migration to cities and loss of food from an acidic ocean.

The piece points to possible bipartisan efforts. What is not mentioned is the potential for action before the election. If Democrats can push the Carbon Dividend Act out of committees for a House floor vote, it will pass.

Most Democrats, while talking about other options with government spending and regulations, will still vote for something that will end climate change.

Many Republicans, while not speaking out that climate change is a serious problem, are realizing something must be done, and they see that after the election Democrats might have the votes to pass spending and regulations they do not want. They will vote for the Carbon Dividend Act rather than get voted out.

Jim Martin
Huntington Beach

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In their commentary on climate change, Bob Taylor and Chris Hilger provide an excellent primer on the history of and need for a carbon tax.

From the obligatory mention of one or another disastrous result of inaction (in this case, sea level rise, beach erosion, flooding and plummeting property values) to the call for all politicians to join the citizenry and take action now to preserve a livable world for us all.

They properly point out that a change in administration is essential, for reasons too obvious to mention (OK, I’ll mention one — President Trump’s selection of Rick Perry, a climate-change-denying fossil fuel executive, as Secretary of Energy).

HR763 is the best approach to a carbon tax, as it quickly advances the tax during the coming decade and the dividend uniquely goes back 100% to citizens, thereby avoiding the risk of diversion of funds to non-emissions-related programs. Get the emissions down now.

Gary Stewart
Laguna Beach

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What one individual loses to the climate crisis, a day trader picks up, for a time.

It’s hard to convince the working poor to defend coastal private property from rising sea levels. I know many people who fled California’s aggressive climate tax policies for the low tax “freedoms” of Utah and Nevada and even Oregon.

The COVID-19 crisis drove people into the sticks, out of cities, right into the jaws of the worst fires in history. Maybe we can run from taxes but none of us will escape planetary physics.

But there is a tax policy that amplifies the fight against rising CO2 and the resulting meteorological insanity, an inoculation against the economic policy that is killing our livable planet: a carbon fee and dividend.

A carbon tax puts a thumb on the scale of renewable energy and sustainability and gives our planetary systems a chance to resume the atmosphere of human viability that we have enjoyed these few centuries. For what it’s worth, I enjoy breathing.

Pam Brennan
Newport Beach

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I strongly support the recommendations of commentators Taylor and Hilger regarding the need for immediate action to reduce sea level rise.

As co-author of a new book on global warming (“Reaching Net Zero: What it takes to solve the global climate crisis,” Elsevier, 2020), our research substantiates the benefit that a fee on carbon emissions would immediately bring.

Kudos to Taylor and Hilger for pointing out that HR763 accomplishes this, has bipartisan support and is an important tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Craig B. Smith
Newport Beach

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I would add one more thing to the recent commentary about climate change.

One of the best things about the Energy, Innovation, and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R.763, is its cost. It doesn’t cost. People in New England refer to it as “Cash Back Carbon Pricing.”

Oil, coal and gas pay. They contribute to the Trust Fund based on how much pollution they generate, while people at the lower ends of the income spectrum are made whole. The Act is foundational and greases the skids for all the other things we need to consider.

H.R.763 causes the market to reflect the true cost of carbon pollution. The carbon price will percolate through the entire economy, providing an incentive for all decision makers in the economy to look for ways to reduce emissions.

Without carbon pricing, the U.S. economy will remain biased toward fossil fuel combustion and that we can’t afford.

Mark Tabbert
Irvine

We need principles, not a principal

Lynn Lorenz recently wrote in support of Jeff Herdman’s candidacy for the Newport Beach District 5 City Council seat, suggesting the race had already begun with hidden bias or unfair advantage against the incumbent.

She points to the fact that several council members are not endorsing Mr. Herdman but instead are supporting Noah Blom — a fresh face to the scene.

What Ms. Lorenz fails to mention is that Herdman has been in office for almost four years and is seeking another four years in office. The fact that Herdman’s council colleagues are not supportive of him does not surprise me.

The lack of support is not evidence of a conspiracy against him. It is only further evidence of the overall discourse that Herdman has fostered among residents, merchants and it would now appear, his fellow council members.

The race between Blom and Herdman has nothing to do with the so-called “Team Newport,” as Ms. Lorenz would have you believe, but with his subpar performance as our representative for District 5.

For many Balboa Island residents and merchants, Herdman (a former school principal), has received a failing grade for his performance over the last four years.

The time has come for a change, and we need to support the candidate who is willing to work with a community comprised of residents, merchants and fellow council members.

Noah Blom understands the needs of the community, the importance of working collaboratively with constituents and council members alike. He appreciates the importance of protecting our villages and the need to support our merchants, restaurants and business owners.

We need a councilman who is willing to listen and has the strength, endurance and dedication to lead us forward with a fresh and open-minded perspective for the future.

Jim Moloney
Balboa Island

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I have met Newport Beach City Council candidate Noah Blom several times since he announced his run for City Council.

I am impressed with Noah’s youthful energy and fresh approach. Noah and his wife, Marin, are successful entrepreneurs — starting and operating successful local restaurants.

Noah was born in Newport Beach and attended local schools. His father was a well-known photographer in Corona del Mar. Their son attends Corona del Mar High School.

Noah and Marin are active in numerous charities, including Oceana, the Newport Aquatic Center, SOS and the March of Dimes. It is true what they say — it’s the busiest people who accomplish the most!

A goal of Noah’s is to enhance cooperation between the private and public sectors. As a leader in the hospitality industry, he has worked with city officials to expedite approval of sidewalk dining and other regulatory changes to help struggling merchants survive the pandemic crisis.

We all know the serious issues that continue to face Newport Beach, including the airport, the homeless crisis, the city’s pension shortfall and the important quality-of-life issues like noise, traffic, parking and petty crime.

Noah’s opponent, the incumbent Councilman Jeff Herdman, is asking to be rehired for another four-year term. Unfortunately, the city has very little to show for Mr. Herdman’s last four years, particularly his role as chairman of the city’s beleaguered Aviation Committee.

There are no independent small business owners on the City Council. Mr. Herdman was a career public employee before his retirement in 2005.

Our city could use Noah’s business acumen, entrepreneurial energy and good-humored enthusiasm. We will benefit from someone who knows what it is to start a business from scratch, create new jobs and have to make a payroll every month.

Noah has a proven record of achievement and would make a fine addition to our City Council.

Randy Black
Newport Beach

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