Port Development

By Dennis G. Hunter

We can create permanent living wage jobs along the Bay without jeopardizing the recreational opportunies that exist and without sacrificing the natural beauty of the plants and wildlife that share our lives here.

What many individuals do not realize is that today only 15% of our bay is set aside for development. The majority of the Bay, or 85%, is saved for recreation and conservation. It is this 15 percent set aside for development that will pay for the recreation and conservation projects we have on our wish list.

A recent grant proposal to the Headwaters Fund shows what can be accomplished on Humboldt Bay with one public marine terminal. This terminal would be located on the Samoa Peninsula in deep water already dredged for its use. 166 local construction jobs will be created for a three year period while the terminal is being modernized. Then, over 4,000 primary and secondary jobs will be created to operate the terminal and other industries. With annual salaries that average $50,000, that equates to an economic stimulus to the local economy of $200 million. That's port development on the Humboldt Bay scale!

Another industry on the bay needs our help and that is our commercial fishing industry. It has been strangled with regulations and we have seen a large fishing fleet diminish to fewer than 100 boats. Not only is this income important to our area but fishing is an important commodity that creates many spin-off jobs and helps our tourism industry as well. We need to protect this vital industry and lead its comeback. As your 4th District Harbor Commissioner, I am dedicated to working with our team to make that happen.