Harbor dredging is a safe and effective method of keeping the harbor open, and replenishing the beaches with sand.
Sand is deposited on the north side of the jetty and in the harbor mouth due to ocean currents, leaving a shortage of sand on the southern side. Dredging sand from the harbor mouth and depositing it on the southern side of the jetty replenishes the beach. To assure the public safety, I support the continuous and repeated testing of the dredged material for hazardous waste. To date, no harmful materials have been found. Silt is also deposited via Arana Gulch into the upper harbor. Because of the small particle size, it cannot be deposited on the beach. I support continued research into the safety of depositing this material at sea. If successful, this research would result in considerable cost savings to the Port District.
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