By CERENA JOHNSON, The Eureka Reporter
Published: Aug 20 2008, 11:27 PM · Updated: Aug 20 2008, 11:31 PM
Category: Local News
Topic: Humboldt Bay
With the end of the comment period on the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation, and Conservation District’s Redwood Marine Terminal draft business plan just one week away, local groups are continuing to weigh the pros and cons of the project.The Humboldt County Rail and Port Infrastructure Taskforce held a forum in the Wharfinger Building Wednesday night to highlight issues related to developing the port.
Panel speakers included representatives from the harbor district, Goldman Sachs, Ports America, Pasha Group, and the local oyster industry, as well as a former North Coast Railroad Authority executive director.
“We are in need of good jobs with benefits,” said Bill Bertain of RAPIT. “We’re talking about doing a green port and a green railroad, and it can be done,” he said.
The proposed marine terminal plan proposes construction of a multipurpose berth designed to accommodate cruise ships, cargo shipping, historical attractions and aquaculture, with long-term expansion requiring private investment and operation of the railroad.
Goldman Sachs has proposed to act as the district’s financial advisor to attract private funds for the project, though negotiations are ongoing.
“Our goal is to serve the district in whatever function the district desires,” said Eric Zampol, Goldman Sachs associate with the firm’s public sector and infrastructure banking group.
In developing a terminal, Zampol drew a parallel to the port of Prince Rupert in Canada, with a population of less than 5,000 residents, to serve as a gateway for goods shipment.
Dan Hauser, who formerly served on the Arcata City Council, and as executive director of the NCRA and general manager of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, addressed what he said were a number of “myths” regarding the closure of the railroad through the Eel River Canyon, including closure due to geologic conditions.
“That is absolute bunk,” he said. “There was nowhere to go when the south end was closed down,” he said, due to flooding and washouts, and said restoring the railroad would be more cost-effective than constructing an alternative line, and would not require the NCRA to make a profit.
“We’re very interested in seeing what can be done here,” said Glenn Yamaguchi, executive vice president of the Pasha Group.
Once the harbor district closes public comment, TranSystems will review the comments on the business plan and revise the plan, after which the district will consider it for adoption, and will then initiate the California Environmental Quality Act process, Hull said.
(Cerena Johnson can be reached at cjohnson@eurekareporter.com, or at 707-269-7440).
