Briefly in the news

Paul Clinton

The Orange County Board of Supervisors set the ball rolling on the

$32.4-million dredging project for Upper Newport Bay.

The board approved the start of design and other preparations for the

project, set to get underway in 2003.

A group of agencies has announced plans to fund the dredging, known as

the Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project. More than $21

million is expected to come from federal sources.

The county has set aside $400,000 this year to pay for the design

work, money that will be refunded by the California Coastal Conservancy

via a grant.