The long-held tradition of transferring offshore mooring permit ownership in Newport Harbor might be ending after state leaders found the practice could violate state law and recommended eliminating it.
But advocates say the recommendation could impact people who’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars in the current system — while proposed rate hikes could also force some people who live on their boats out of Newport Harbor.
Now, the decision on mooring permit transfers rests in the hands of city officials after receiving recommendations from the California State Lands Commission. There is no clear timeline yet when city leaders might consider formal changes to the mooring program…