Surfrider Foundation Comments On Proposed Ship Salvage Facility in Newport

Surfrider Foundation
Oregon Chapter
PO Box 571
Newport, OR 97365

Board of Commissioners
Port of Newport
600 SE Bay Blvd.       
Newport, OR  97365                                                

December 2nd, 2005

Dear Commissioners of the Port of Newport,

The Oregon Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation would like to state its opposition to the proposed Bay Bridge Enterprises ship salvage facility in Yaquina Bay, Newport. 

The proposed ship salvage facility would likely cause significant ecological impacts to the Yaquina Bay Estuary. Yaquina Bay currently functions as a healthy ecosystem and provides crucial habitat for oysters, mollusks, salmon, Dungeness crab, English sole, and numerous other kinds of marine life. The pollutants associated with the ship salvaging industry include lead, copper, zinc, asbestos, PCBs, oils, and invasive species. All of these are know to be detrimental to marine ecosystems, even in small quantities. While Bay Bridge Enterprises has stated their intent to establish a “green” operation, the close proximity of the facility to the water, combined with factors such as rainfall and human error, would undoubtedly ensure that some amount of pollution would enter the bay – both through continual small introductions and episodic higher events. Given the rich ecological value of Yaquina Bay as a public resource, it is difficult to understand the rationale behind establishing this operation in the middle of a pristine estuary.

The ship salvage facility would also threaten recreational opportunities in Yaquina Bay. On the opposite side of the bay is a popular winter surf spot which can have 40 or more surfers in the water when conditions are good. Because of its unique protected setting, this spot is one of the few places where one can paddle out on the central coast when the swell exceeds 12 feet. Unfortunately, pollution associated with the proposed ship salvage facility could threaten this recreational opportunity for the hundreds of surfers who reside in Newport and other towns nearby. Heavy metals, PCBs, and other contaminants are not only harmful to marine life, but also represent a significant threat to human health, as well. Most of us who surf regularly have experienced the health hazards associated with surfing in polluted water. Does Newport really want to approve the establishment of a facility that could directly and significantly impact the health of its local surfers?

The Surfrider Foundation submits these comments on behalf of our nearly 500 members in the state of Oregon. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Surfrider membership is comprised of surfers, fishermen, sailors, divers, beachgoers, and wildlife enthusiasts – people who spend a significant amount of time on the coast and in the ocean.  Represented by over 40,000 members and 60 local chapters in the U.S., Surfrider Foundation believes that healthy coastal communities are sustained by a healthy ocean.

Sincerely,

Peter Stauffer
Oregon Policy Coordinator                                          
Surfrider Foundation - Oregon Chapter
(503) 887-0514
pstauffer@surfrider.org