Gov. Newsom Reopens 3 Orange County Beaches

DANA POINT, CA — After a weekend of beach shutdowns, and with a heatwave settling in for the remainder of the week, Orange County's residents at last got a reprieve, Tuesday. Governor Gavin Newsom shared his decision to reopen Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Dana Point Beaches to active use though questions remain with the notable exclusion of Newport Beach.

In late April, during the previous span of hot weather, the governor's office slammed the cities of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach for their handling of an influx of visitors to the shore amid the coronavirus shutdown. In a bold move, Newsom made a blanket decision to shutter only Orange County beaches to any activity until approved "active use" plans could be put into place. The beach cities scrambled for the governor's approval to reopen what is the primary form of exercise and activity for coastal community residents.

While Gov. Newsom reviewed and approved active use plans from the cities of Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Seal Beach, the governor has yet to approve the plan laid out by Newport Beach. No other beach city in California remains under his scrutiny.

This is not an open invitation to the beach, according to the action plans.

Beach parking lots will remain closed, in an attempt to dissuade too many visitors from packing the shorelines. Visitors to the beach can take walks, surf, boogie-board, skim-board, kayak, or paddle-board—almost any activity where you are moving along the shore rather than staying in one spot. Social distancing is expected and officials will be watching.

Sunbathing, setting up chairs or beach towels and staying in place, picnicking, and the like are still not allowed.

In towns with pier access, walks out on the pier are allowed as long as social distancing is followed. People must stay 6 feet apart from others outside of their family groups, and pier fishing is not permitted, as of this report.

Over the weekend, the City of Newport Beach also submitted a plan with the state to safely reopen the Newport Beach coastline, Public Information Manager John Pope said in a prepared statement.

"Despite repeated attempts by City staff to connect with State officials, we have not yet received any information on approval or modifications, or when a decision might be made," Pope said. On Monday, a Newport Beach city council member filed a lawsuit against the governor and the infringement of civil liberties. As of this report, there was no mention if that lawsuit was still active while the city tries to gain some headway with the governor's office.

"We hope to hear from State authorities shortly on whether Newport Beach will join other Orange County cities in a safe, coordinated approach to reopening the beaches," Pope said.

Dana Point's city manager, Mike Killebrew, received word from the governor's office Tuesday, stating that Dana Point's reopen beach management plan was amenable to the state's executive order.

"The beaches operated by the City of Dana Point are permitted to reopen," the Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Mark Ghilarducci, wrote.

A similar letter was received by Huntington Beach City Manager Oliver Chi and Seal Beach Mayor Schelly Sustarsic.
Congressman Harley Rouda released a statement for the ongoing teamwork toward reopening the beaches.

"Orange County is best served when the local, county, and state governments coordinate to protect residents' mental and physical health," Congressman Harley Rouda said. "This week, Governor Newsom's office has expeditiously reviewed and approved local leaders' plans to reopen beaches across coastal Orange County."

"I hope all cities and the county will follow the common-sense and multi-phase blueprints put forward by Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Dana Point. I will continue working with every level of government to ensure residents can safely access recreational spaces."

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved sending a plan to the governor's office to reopen the county's beaches for active use only. This action should open the remainder of the beaches, including Newport Beach, which is still awaiting word after a lawsuit was filed against the governor's office on Monday.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, who made the motion, stated that she wanted the governor to approve the plan as soon as possible so that beaches can reopen by the weekend, or earlier.

Supervisor Don Wagner voiced his concerns, saying that the board should consider a "staff plan" and save their vote until the following week.

The vote was taken, and passed, with a vote of 3-2, Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Supervisor Don Wagner both voted against the proposal.

The rules would match the terms approved by cities that have received the go-ahead to reopen with active use only.

This is a developing report. Please refresh for the latest information.

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This article originally appeared on the Laguna Niguel-Dana Point Patch