All of us on the Newport Banning Ranch (NBR) Team would like to thank our many supporters who turned out for the September 7th California Coastal Commission (CCC) hearing. Unfortunately, the CCC voted to deny the current project—and our only option was to file a lawsuit against the CCC.
The lawsuit challenges the CCC’s September 7, 2016 denial of our proposed cleanup and redevelopment project for NBR. The filing is based on numerous procedural and factual errors identified by NBR. We are requesting that the CCC decision be overturned, and claiming a taking of property without just compensation.
At the September 7th hearing, a majority of the Commissioners commented that they hoped this would not be the “end of the road” for NBR, but rather that more work was needed on the project between CCC Staff, NBR and the community.
So that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re rededicating ourselves to bringing this project to the community. We are still committed to cleaning up the property, restoring its wildlife habitat and establishing permanent funding for the Newport Banning Land Trust to manage and protect more than 300 acres of open space and natural areas.
The opponents are suggesting that the land is going to clean itself up—that’s simply not the case. Without project approval, it’s quite obvious where things are headed—the land will remain closed to the public and continue to operate as an oil field for generations to come.
And nobody wants that.
Please continue to check back here and watch your email for updates.
