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By Dennis Hunter
Published: Aug 8 2008, 12:03 AM
Category: OpinionWe have an opportunity staring us right in the face. What we do with it will shape the future of our area for many years to come.
I serve as a Commissioner on the board of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (HBHRCD) and take my responsibilities very seriously. When the District was formed by the State of California in 1970, our enabling legislation mandated us to “develop, operate, maintain, control, regulate and manage Humboldt Bay for the promotion of national and international commerce, navigation, fisheries and recreation thereon, and develop and protect the natural resources of the area.” For me, this means that when I look at a potential project, I ask three questions: (1) Will this protect and enhance our natural environment? (2) Will this project create decent-paying jobs? And, (3) will this project help stimulate the local economy? If the answers are “yes,” then it’s something I seriously consider. Restoring the Redwood Marine Terminal to active maritime use potentially meets those criteria.
Additional future shipping opportunities on Humboldt Bay will not be by the steamships of a bygone era. New and upcoming air quality standards mandated by the state of California and the federal government; the designs of modern ocean-going ships that can include double hulls, filtered ballast water, low sulfur fuels and shoreside electrical capability — can translate to a vast reduction in the ecological footprint of modern port operations. In addition, any restoration of the Redwood Marine Terminal property will result in an improvement to the environment by the removal of hundreds of creosote-treated pilings from the bay, eliminating storm water runoff to the bay from this property and generally cleaning up this long-used industrial property.
What about jobs? Based upon the port activity estimated in the Redwood Marine Terminal Feasibility Study, the terminal could potentially create an average of 200 full-time direct jobs and 1,800 full-time indirect jobs at an average wage of $35 per hour. This would inject over $145 million into the local economy as payroll. Thus, more and more families could afford to buy above-median-priced homes and could send their children to college.
Let’s look at how this terminal could affect our area economically. We have a significant amount of industrial and commercial land that is not being put to any use. These properties will be in strong demand as the port grows. This projected growth increases property values which generate more property taxes which generate more revenues for the county and cities.
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the possible development of our Redwood Marine Terminal and the increase in shipping this would create. Some might say this is a pipe dream while others might see this as an opportunity to stimulate the local economy and create good-paying jobs. As commissioners, we owe our populace the due diligence to totally examine all the possibilities. That is why we hired a world-class transportation consulting firm to analyze potential restoration opportunities and develop feasibility and business plan recommendations.
As we consider this potential development, the solution seems simple. It’s not. Our Board of Commissioners is diligently looking into the draft Business Plan as submitted by its consultants. We’re also taking public comments through the 28th of August. There are questions still to be answered, but the bottom line is: we must work to grow our economy, create new jobs and protect our natural resources. I am confident that, as a community, we can accomplish all three things.
Dennis Hunter is a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District.
Filed under: Marin, Sonoma, transit | Tags: accident, highway 101, highway closure
Those pro Bus Rapid transit(BRT), need to consider, that a highway is a mass of individuals, each doing their own thing. Each subject to their own failures, and possible impacts with each other. It will also impact any buses within any area of impacts. Even if not directly involved in an accident, it will have been slowed down.
Actually two in the 1st article.
Published: Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 5:50 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.
The accidents caused major delays in both northbound and southbound lanes.The northbound lane was reduced to one lane for about an hour.
2nd Article
Two cars overturn on Highway 101 in Novato
Gary Klien
Article Launched: 08/04/2008 08:18:39 PM PDT
Three people were injured and several lanes of Highway 101 were blocked Monday when a pair of vehicles overturned in Novato.
Dear Editor,
I’ve been a resident of the Humboldt Bay area for more than 35 years. I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to this area because it is so beautiful. I do not want a replica of Southern California up here; however, I support the marine terminal business plan.
Earlier this year, yet another group of graduates faced low-paying, non-benefited jobs or a few highly prized government jobs. With low-paying jobs, we cannot support our own infrastructure, let alone government jobs.
Port and rail revitalization can bring many living-wage job opportunities to workers of this area. I believe that this port can be upgraded in an ecologically sensitive manner. New buildings and dock could be solar- and wind-powered, fitted with gray water systems and have garden roofs. No matter who leases facilities from the Harbor District, we can establish our own conditions. If we don’t like the terms, as landlords we can find a new operator. We control our own destiny.
I see no reason to fear the future and reject positive solutions for our area. Why is there so much negativity surrounding revitalization of a dilapidated, unusable existing dock?
The Harbor District’s Web site states it is responsible for transportation improvement projects and increasing the cargo-handling capacity of the bay. The Harbor District commissioners need to remember their legislative mandates and move forward in a timelier manner.
A working port benefits everyone.
Cynthia Noble
Fieldbrook
The question is who will be the speakers? Will we have photoshop Bit/Mike Buettner with his one sided view? IE the person who wouldn’t spend a dime on the railroad, quoted at the trails forum? The one spreading nothing but FUD? “We can only plan together by working together” What garbage, it isn’t a new plan. If you look at Humboldt Bay only about 15% can be developed, yet they are screaming about balance!
Looking at the Future of Humboldt Bay
as an International Shipping TerminalThe Humboldt Bay Stewards invites you to join us at this community forum
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wharfinger Building
1 Marina Way in Eureka6:30-8:30pm
Join us in exploring the proposed Redwood Dock Marine Terminal that the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is negotiating with Goldman Sachs.
Our speakers will summarize the project and discuss the impacts on the natural resources and societal values of our community.
An opportunity for questions and answers will follow the presentations.
The goal of the evening is to engage the community in this important decision for our future.
We can only plan together by working together.
