Dredging funds sought

Money for dredging Upper Newport Bay could dry up as early as the end of August unless additional sources of state or federal funding come through, a county engineer said this week. Officials estimate it could cost an additional $1.5 million if the project has to stop due to lack of funding only to restart later.

“We’re doing everything we can to prevent the contractor from demobilizing, and I think it looks pretty hopeful,” said Susan Brodeur, senior coastal engineer for the County of Orange.

City and county officials have asked U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein for $12.3 million in federal appropriations in fiscal year 2009, which begins in October, Brodeur said.

But more federal funding is unlikely to be approved before the November presidential election, she said. County officials also are looking for state grant money.

More funding is needed to clear sediment out of the upper bay and restore wetland areas around the Newport Aquatic Center at North Star Beach. Both projects are slated for completion after funding for the project is due to run out at the end of August, Brodeur said.

About 200 species of birds use the wetlands of Upper Newport Bay during the year, according to wildlife experts. Sediment and pollutants from the San Diego Creek and other sources drain into the bay, and the estuary needs to be periodically dredged to keep it from silting up.

Newport Beach hired the prominent Washington D.C.-based lobbyist group Van Scoyoc Associates to lobby for federal funding in March. The project is short about $13.8 million, according to the city’s latest estimate.

“It’s been an ongoing challenge to get federal funding, and it’s been somewhat painful to watch,” said Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle. “But we’ll keep plugging away.”

More money also could come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Brodeur said.

“Sometimes they can reallocate funding if there’s another project that is moving slowly or not going as planned and we’re asking them to re-prioritize funding,” Brodeur said.

City officials are expected to present an update on the progress of dredging in Upper Newport Bay at the Newport Beach City Council study session at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Daigle said.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.