BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

-- Noaki Schwartz

Newport Beach Councilwoman Jan Debay said that after a four-hour meeting

Tuesday, agencies involved in the American Trader oil spill settlement

are very close to an agreement.

“We went over [Newport’s proposed] projects,” Debay said. “I’m really

working hard to get $5 million.”

The meeting, which dealt with how the $16 million will be distributed,

was attended by representatives from the cities of Newport Beach and

Huntington Beach, the state Parks and Recreation Department and the state

Department of Fish and Game.

However, because county and State Lands Commission representatives

weren’t at the meeting -- and a unanimous vote is necessary -- nothing

was finalized.

The trustees successfully sued for damages after the American Trader oil

tanker spilled 400,000 gallons of oil off the coast of Huntington Beach

in 1990.

City staff drew up a list of projects that could be the beneficiary of

the funds received from the settlement. Among other projects,

rehabilitating Balboa Pier and Newport Pier were at the top of the list.

The group will meet again at the end of February, by which time Debay

hopes the group can finalize the plan.

“I think it went really well,” Debay said. “I feel encouraged it will be

done by end of February.”