Photo by Daniel DeBoom
10:45am | The City Council will hear a ruling from the Army Corps of Engineers next week on whether or not there is Federal interest in reconfiguring the Long Beach Breakwater to possibly improve water quality and bring back waves to the shoreline.
But that hasn’t stopped some from opposing the plan before it is even presented.
A letter from Long Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Gordon was sent to City management and other officials today, opposing $4 million in funding for a federal breakwater study that would be required from the City if the Army Corps announces next week that it approves of progressing with the project.
To be clear, a positive announcement from the Army Corps next week does not mean that the project is a go. It means that there is Federal interest in the possibility of the project, and that an $8 million study – the City is responsible for half – would be recommended to determine the best course of action (if any). The study would take likely three to four years to complete.
The letter stops short of outright opposition to breakwater reconfiguration, which could cost in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Instead, it asks that the City Council walk away from Federal interest and deny funding to a study that would determine whether or not reconfiguration is feasible or cost-effective.
“The Chamber firmly believes this is the wrong time to make such a massive investment in the proposed study,” reads Gordon’s letter. “The City of Long Beach’s current fiscal crisis does not warrant spending up to $4 million for a study.”
To reiterate: the letter does not oppose reconfiguration. It opposes finding out whether reconfiguration will improve the quality of Long Beach’s shoreline, currently one of the most polluted in all of California. After years of independent studies and growing public support, the City has attracted the interest of the Federal government and the possibility of improved water quality and millions of tourism dollars. No thanks, says the Long Beach Chamber.
Gordon sent the letter to Mayor Bob Foster, City Manager Pat West, members of the Long Beach City Council and officials from the Port of Long Beach.
The City Council has been waiting for nearly one year to hear word from the Army Corps of Engineers, who hold authority over whether or not to reconfigure the breakwater. A representative from the Army Corps of Engineers said a few weeks ago that the local office has recommended moving forward with a study, making it more likely that the official ruling will be approval.
“During these challenging economic times, we need to remain focused on retaining and creating jobs. We also need to focus on closing a massive budget deficit and bringing fiscal responsibility back to City Hall. Moving forward with this study under these circumstances is the wrong idea at the wrong time. “
One of Gordon’s main issues seems to be that the Port of Long Beach would pay for the study. While City Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell recently hinted, not so subtly, that the Port would probably contribute to the cost, the cost responsibility belongs with the City.
“Furthermore, it is NOT the responsibility of the Port of Long Beach to fund the study on behalf of the City. Our concern is that the Port is unfairly being expected to fund a City mandate and while the results of the study are uncertain, the financial impact to the Port, and the City itself, is not. “
No word on how the Chamber feels about the Port-funded Tidelands account paying $9.5 million to fix the canal seawalls of upscale Naples Island, as approved unanimously last night by the City Council.
The letter is provided in full, below:
Funding of Federal Breakwater Impact Study – OPPOSE
Dear Mayor Foster and Members of the Long Beach City Council:
The economic vitality of Long Beach and the quality of life of its citizens are a top priority for the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. I want to thank you for your continued commitment to working together to strengthen our local economy.
The Chamber recognizes that more can be done to improve the quality of our beaches. However, we are proud of what our beachfront has to offer and the fact that it is such a rich asset. Recent discussions regarding the future of our beaches are based on the idea of bringing waves back to the shores of our City by reconfiguring the Breakwater. Some agree that any reconfiguration will improve the water quality near our beaches and boost our local economy with increased tourism. Others argue that any reconfiguration of the Breakwater will have a devastating impact to our Port and the communities impacted by the beachfront proximity. It is not the intention of the Chamber to comment on any reconfiguration proposal; however, the Chamber will reserve its right to consider a position on any reconfiguration of the Breakwater in the future.
On June 22, 2010, the Long Beach City Council will consider whether it should move forward with a study, estimated to cost the City $4 million, to determine the best course of action for the future of the Breakwater.
The Chamber firmly believes this is the wrong time to make such a massive investment in the proposed study. The City of Long Beach’s current fiscal crisis does not warrant spending up to $4 million for a study. Furthermore, it is NOT the responsibility of the Port of Long Beach to fund the study on behalf of the City. Our concern is that the Port is unfairly being expected to fund a City mandate and while the results of the study are uncertain, the financial impact to the Port, and the City itself, is not.
During these challenging economic times, we need to remain focused on retaining and creating jobs. We also need to focus on closing a massive budget deficit and bringing fiscal responsibility back to City Hall. Moving forward with this study under these circumstances is the wrong idea at the wrong time.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Disclosure: lbpost.com publisher Shaun Lumachi is a government affairs advisor to the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
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