Dreading the dredging

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

Well, I’m off again cruising on the high seas this week, but don’t

worry, I will be back just in time for my Sunday radio show.

I am on two different voyages. On one, I will be aboard with

someone whom most of you in Newport Harbor will remember -- Marty

Kasules.

Remember Marty? He was the Newport harbormaster, and he retired

this year to set sail on his Uniflite motor yacht. Well, he planned

to join the Baha HaHa cruisers, but instead, Kasules is putting his

yacht on a Dockwise transport ship. His next stop is Florida.

I mentioned that Kasules cruising Floridian waters to Gary Hill,

owner of Hills Fuel Dock, and Hill pointed out that Marty better get

use to running by the fathometer.

“We are very lucky in this area with the depths that we have,”

Hill told me.

It is true that most boaters cruising in our local waters only

look at the depths for fishing.

There are presently two bills before Congress that could help our

dredging situation with respect to beach restoration projects. The

National Beach Recreation Act with Senate Bill 1653 and House of

Representatives Bill 2492 will require the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers to take into consideration the economic benefits of

recreational when evaluating beach restoration.

The first page of both bills states: “A bill to ensure that

recreation benefits are accorded the same weight as hurricane and

storm damage reduction benefits and environmental restoration

benefits.”

The short title is cited as the ‘’National Beach Recreation and

Economic Benefits Act.” This could be good news for Newport Harbor,

which needs beach restoration on our harbor beaches, especially

Balboa Island’s south side.

I have a great plan: While dredging the Santa Ana River to build a

new marina in the City of Costa Mesa at 19th Street, we can transport

the sand to rebuild our harbor beach.

I think the environmental movement has gone over the top without

regard to big picture. Yes, environmental concerns are important, but

we must keep everything in perspective, which has not been the case.

Take for example the horrific fires, which may have been dramatically

less destructive if the forests were allowed to be thinned.

The effects of eel grass protection is now being felt in the

harbor, with some docks sitting on the bottom at low tide. And people

out fishing have found some species are now off-limits with

regulations imposed without supportive scientific data.

It is known that some officials (not our local officials) who are

imposing the eel grass protection have said that they think there can

never be too much eel grass. However, we have seen some results; the

public is starting to take notice of all the regulations because now

they are feeling the effects.

Lately, some fishing restrictions have been eased, and legislators

are starting to look closely at the state of affairs affecting the

public.

I think that we need to get back to common sense and use realistic

scientific studies to help shape the use of our resources.

Yes, our harbor must be dredged. Just think what would happen if a

hillside slipped and blocked your driveway; the debris would be

cleared away immediately.

So why is it different when the water currents deposit silt under

a dock? Leave your driveway blocked by debris and it too will start

growing an ecosystem. Yes, some beaches must have sand replenished

after being eroded away not only to save the beach, but to maintain a

usable the beach for the public.

Now, we should take in account the economic value and the

recreational benefits when discussing these issues. If not, it might

not be much longer when walking on the beach will be illegal because

you may step on a sand crab.

Everyone remember to tune in this and every Sunday to my Boathouse

Radio Show from 4 to 5 p.m. on KCBQ AM (1170) or listen over the

Internet at www.boathouseradio.com. Also, you can call-in during the

show to (888) 344-1170 and join in Southern California’s only boating

talk radio show.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.