Cox seeks funds for dredging

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- With the federal government doling out billions of

dollars for homeland security, defense and aid to the airline industry,

city officials are harboring guarded optimism about funding for two local

dredging projects.

Rep. Chris Cox, who represents the city, has pushed for federal money

for the projects. Cox said he has submitted requests for $6.3 million for

the dredging work. But in the current budget climate, local officials

expect a lesser amount, just under $2 million, to eventually find its way

back to the city.

Cox submitted the requests for the House of Representatives’ 2003

appropriations bill. A vote has been scheduled on the bill for Monday.

“It is not clear if any of the projects of this type will be

included,” Cox said Friday. “I’ve asked for funding for both of them.”

The congressman, the fifth-highest-ranking member of the House, has

been lobbying Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Mobile, Ala.) for support. Callahan

is the House Appropriations subcommittee chairman on energy and water

development. Callahan makes recommendations to Appropriations Chairman

C.W. “Bill” Young (R-St. Petersburg, Fla.).

Two modest amounts of money are expected to make it into the House

bill, Cox and local leaders said.

Newport Beach officials said they are confident they’ll be able to

nail down $1.8 million for the restoration project of the Upper Newport

Bay. To remove excess sediment from the bay, the Army Corps of Engineers

plans to dredge 2.1 million cubic yards of mud.

Right now, the $34-million project remains stalled until more federal

money can be secured. Local agencies hope to cover 35% of the cost of the

project, a sum of $13 million in state park bond money from Proposition

12, which passed in March 2000. Under that scenario, the engineers would

provide the remaining $21 million.

President Bush has also included $100,000 in his budget to pay for

design and engineering work before construction begins. That would be a

reduction of $500,000 from the $600,000 approved by Congress on Nov. 1.

If Congress approves the $1.8 million, the door would open next year

for more money. Since the project is now classified as a “new start,” or

a new project, it has had trouble grabbing federal funds.

“You can’t expect the administration to fund these kinds of projects,

given the amount of money the federal government is spending on the

military,” City Manager Homer Bludau said. “The project is still more

than a fiscal year off.”

Cox also requested funding for the corps’ $4.5-million dredge of

Newport Harbor. An increasing amount of sediment has caused more and more

boats to run aground. The corps first carved out the harbor’s channels in

the late 1930s.

Cox has requested the full $4.5 million, but city leaders say they’re

only expecting $120,000 for that project.

However, any amount of federal help is welcomed, Councilman Dennis

O’Neil said.

“If money starts flowing in any amount, I welcome it,” O’Neil said.

“I’m pleased it’s happening.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and politics. He may be reached

at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7 paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .