Accomplishments as Projects Manager, Moss Landing Harbor District

By Nancy Barlow

Successfully secured monies for the following: Moss Landing Harbor Community Park/Fisherman's Memorial Park; Harbor Dredging from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Govenor's Office of Emergency Services (OES); Moss Landing Coastal Trail, Phase I & II from the Transportation Agency of Monterey County; Removal of abandoned and derelict watercraft from the Department of Boating and Waterways.

1. Wrote and obtained $37,000 in grants for the Moss Landing Harbor Community Park/Fisherman's Memorial Park. Prior to my arrival at Moss Landing Harbor District as Projects Manager, the site immediately behind the District's Administration building, was an undeveloped dirt lot. The vision of a community park was brought about due to several factors: a place for families living about their boats to enjoy a safe haven for their children, a place for the community to get together and enjoy picnics, and a visual pleasing park with grass, rather than just a dirt lot. Funding was received by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, Community Foundation of Monterey County, Duke Energy North America, Moss Landing Harbor Fisherman's Association and the Master Gardener's of Monterey County. Volunteers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), liveaboard, community members, etc joined in for the assembly of the children playground.

2. Secured FEMA/OES grant monies for harbor dredging. The harbor was inundated with sediment from the El Nino storms. The dredging grants were approximately $7,300,000.

3. Secured local funding from the Transportation Agency of Monterey County for the Moss Landing Coastal Trail, Phase I and Phase II. The coastal trail was to be located at the North Harbor from adjacent to the bridge leading across Elkhorn Slough, following the shoreline, and then around Elkhorn Yacht Club to the northern end of the North Harbor. Total secured was $363,000. Unfortunately, it appears that neither phase of the Moss Landing Coastal Trail has been started since the money was secured.

4. Secured funding from the California Department of Boating and Waterways for the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement program. This allowed the Moss Landing Harbor District to remove the derelict and unsafe watercraft from the Moss Landing Harbor.

As a Harbor District employee for several years, I have intimate knowledge of the issues, concerns and opportunities affecting the District.

I ask your vote and confidence in electing me Harbor Commissioner. My years of employment with the District has given me inside knowledge and appreciation about the issues affecting the District, which I would not have acquired, without being a "worker" at the Moss Landing Harbor District.