State Awards County $100,000 for Shoreline

Orange County received a $100,000 state grant for shoreline protection and restoration, part of $3.1 million in oil royalties distributed to coastal counties and cities, Gov. Gray Davis announced Wednesday.

“These grants will allow local governments along the California coast to rebuild piers, protect agricultural lands, improve eroding beaches and coastal access, restore wetlands, protect marine life, and acquire open space in need of protection,” he said in a press release.

“These projects will help protect our valuable coastal habitat and address future energy planning issues,” he said.

Also receiving grants were Santa Barbara County, which received $1.2 million; San Luis Obispo County, $1.1 million; Ventura County, $300,000; Carpinteria, $197,255; Ventura, $125,000; and Santa Cruz, $79,880.

“Protecting and restoring our magnificent coastline is a top priority for the Davis administration,” said Mary Nichols, California resources secretary, in a press release.

The grant money came from offshore oil drilling royalties that 1996 legislation sets aside for cities and counties affected by oil activity.