The Huntington Beach lifeguards keep an eye on beach goers as they enjoy the sun and sand near the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach on Thursday, April 30, 2020, the day before Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to order all beaches and state parks closed due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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By LAYLAN CONNELLY | [email protected] | Orange County Register
Did Gov. Gavin Newsom have the authority to recently shut down Orange County beaches, or should local authorities be the ultimate deciders on how to manage their sands, even during a pandemic?
Orange County Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott on Monday, May 11, heard arguments for a lawsuit brought by Huntington Beach, as well as for a separate suit filed by the Center for American Liberty, arguing the state overstepped in shutting down all Orange County beaches on April 30. The governor’s announcement came after a recent heat wave drew tens of thousands of beachgoers to sands in several communities that had open beaches.
Huntington Beach officials want to be able to have open beaches without the active-use-only restrictions currently in place along the Orange County coast. After the initial weekend shutdown, state officials approved plans in each coastal city to reopen for people to walk, run, surf and do other activities, but not lounge around on the shore all day.