Water Quality and Open Land
Open Space and Water Quality
Since its inception, SPON has worked tirelessly to protect and save open space, and improve water quality in our bay, harbor and ocean. SPON has partnered with numerous community groups and companies to implement our mission in this area.
Initiatives/Achievements
2023
30 by 30 - Preserve 30% of California’s land and coastline by 2030 - SPON members joined the Southland Regional 30 by 30 Group. This collection of advocacy groups is identifying important areas for protection. SPON alerted the City’s Water Quality Committee to the availability of 30 by 30 potential funding, specifically in the area of coastline conservation and protection.
2020
SPON supports the California Coastal Commission regarding its mandate to remove illegal private property encroachments on Balboa Peninsula public property.
2019
Orange County Parks/Sheriff’s Dept. Harbor Facility - SPON members worked with other residents to improve parking and ADA access to the beach at the OC Parks/Sheriff’s Dept. Harbor Patrol facility on Bayside Drive, Newport Beach.
2018
Environmental Engagement - SPON monitored and responded to several environmentally sensitive projects including the Management Plan for the Western Snowy Plover, and the Renovation Plan for lower Big Canyon.
2015
Banning Ranch - SPON provided two matching grants to help inform the public about preserving Banning Ranch, the last open space along the Orange County coast. The Banning Ranch Conservancy raised the $97 million needed to purchase the Ranch, now renamed the Randall Reserve. Escrow closed in 2022.
2013
Environmental Nature Center- SPON members were instrumental in raising funds for the Center’s current facility.
2006
Local Coastal Plan- SPON added significant comments to the Newport Beach Local Coastal Plan for submission to the California Coastal Commission.
2005
Green Vision Project - Members of SPON participated with the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks to begin the Green Vision Project. This project identifies key pieces of land in Orange County, and the entire state, that could be candidates for wildlife access and open spaces for recreation.
2004
Measure L - SPON worked to gather enough signatures to defeat Measure L. This measure would have approved a hotel on the Balboa Peninsula. This is now the site of Marina Park.
1990
Newport Bay Conservancy - SPON formed Friends of the Bay that became the Newport Bay Conservancy. It’s purpose: to obtain and preserve open space. The Conservancy is now an independent organization.
1988
Back Bay Estuary - SPON sued the City over their support to expand Newport Center. The Irvine company negotiated with SPON and the City the dedication of 80 acres of Upper Newport Bay that surround the Muth Interpretive Center. The Irvine Company received development rights elsewhere in the City.
1986
Water Quality/Algae - When algae blooms turned many Newport Bay beaches to an unwanted green, SPON members tracked the source and worked to convince upstream nurseries to recycle their fertilizer-laden runoff.
Water Quality/Ocean Discharges - When sewage treatment plants up and down the coast sought waivers from the requirements of the Clean Water Act, SPON members successfully advocated and worked for denial of the waivers. Sewage treatment remains at its current high level.
1984
Water Quality Initiatives - To prevent bay and harbor contamination, SPON worked to require holding tanks on all boats with beds, increase the number of pump out stations in the harbor, require onshore bathrooms in all marinas, limit the number of “liveaboard” boats on moorings, and educate the public on pollution prevention.
1978
Park Ordinance - SPON provided support for a park ordinance that requires 5 acres of park per one thousand new residents.
1976
Citizen’s Water Quality Advisory Committee - SPON members requested that the City form this committee. It has developed into the current Water Quality and Tidelands Committee.
1975
Bay Beautiful Week - SPON organized all the homeowner associations along the Bay to devote one day a week to cleanup. Residents volunteered and were given big green SPON-labeled trash bags that were filled as the day progressed. After five years, this effort was taken on by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. The City maintains an aggressive program to remove trash from our waterways and beaches. The City is currently installing a water wheel that will help to collect trash that flows into Upper Newport Bay from inland sources.