Newport Beach to Install Natural Fencing to Protect Western Snowy Plover
In an effort to safeguard the Western Snowy Plover and its nesting habitat, Newport Beach will soon replace decaying red wood-slat fencing with a protective, natural-color barrier along the beach dunes between B Street and the Wedge. This small white-and-brown shorebird nests in the area at different times throughout the year.
The original red fencing, installed in 2011 to protect some sand dunes, expanded to cover more of the peninsula near the Wedge after evidence of the plover’s presence was discovered. However, due to its deterioration and unauthorized removal, the California Coastal Commission issued a cease-and-desist order to the city in July, requiring an immediate replacement.
The City Council of Newport Beach has agreed to implement a new fencing plan, and once the agreement is signed, the temporary barrier will be erected within 15 days. To ensure the protection of these birds, the city will also conduct bird monitoring and counting, with surveys of the protected area conducted twice monthly between July and March, overseen by a qualified biologist.
Failing to fulfill these obligations may result in a daily fine of $1,000 for the city. The fence project is estimated to cost around $30,000, while a year of monitoring will cost $20,000, and new signage will amount to $2,600. The city intends to seek grant funding from the California Coastal Conservancy to cover these expenses, utilizing funds collected from violation fines imposed on Newport Beach property owners who encroached on beaches.
Assistant City Manager Seimone Jurjis explained that there may be some delay, as it takes approximately eight weeks to obtain the fencing materials. However, he promised to communicate this timeline to the Coastal Commission staff.
The Balboa Peninsula, particularly the dune habitat between B and G streets, is crucial in protecting the Western Snowy Plover. It is recognized as one of the largest and most significant of the seven protected plover habitats in Orange County. Across the West Coast, a total of 55 plover grounds are protected. In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the peninsula area as a critical plover habitat and avian conservation area.
In addition to the new fencing and ongoing monitoring, Newport Beach aims to educate the public and locals about the delicate nature of the plover’s habitat. The city is also developing a Western Snowy Plover Management Plan, which will comprehensively address habitat preservation and may serve as a model for other environmentally sensitive areas statewide.
Assistant City Manager Seimone Jurjis stated, “The main objective is to ensure the preservation of this threatened species. However, we also aim to be sensitive to the concerns of our residents, as evidenced by their impassioned presentations at the Coastal Commission meeting last month.”
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