Santa Cruz harbor
The Santa Cruz Harbor is situated within Santa Cruz, California city limits, on the site of the former Woods Lagoon. Built in 1962 - 1963, its public use specializes in boating and extracurricular marine activities for the local community and visitors.[1]
Recreation
Visitors to the Santa Cruz harbor will find over 1,000 moored vessels available for commercial, recreational, or research opportunities. A boat dock and launching facility are also available to day visitors looking to rent kayaks, paddle boards or boats from nearby businesses. Charter services are available for visitors interested in whale watching, fishing, or other marine activities. Outside of the water, the Harbor is home to walking and hiking trails throughout historic Monterey Bay as well as an RV parking facility.[1][2]
A Harbor of Refuge
The Santa Cruz Harbor promotes the extracurricular enjoyment of marine actives as well as the preservation of local marine life. The harbor is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest marine sanctuary in the United States. The marine sanctuary is home to 26 species of Marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, 345 species of fish, 4 species of turtles, 31 phyla invertebrates, and over 450 species of marine algae and plants. Seasonal visitors to the Santa Cruz Harbor may see many different species of whales, sea otters, giant kelp and more.[3]
History
Between 1958 and 1960, the State Department of Parks and Recreation began acquiring land for the harbor itself and its supporting parking and concession areas. In 1962, Congress appropriated $1.6 million for jetty construction and the dredging of the original south harbor basin. Construction actually began on the south harbor in 1962, with the facility being completed in 1964. 360 slips were dedicated.[4] On March 11, 2011, Santa Cruz harbor was struck by a tsunami from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan.
Governance
The Santa Cruz Harbor is governed by five Commissioners who are elected to four year terms. Elections are held for either 2 or 3 of the Commission positions each November (California Harbors & Navigation Code §6240.5). The Commissioners in turn select a Port District Director who runs the affairs of the Harbor. Lisa Ekers is the current Port District Director, she was preceded by Rick Smith, and Brian Foss.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Santa Cruz Harbor Official Website". Santa Cruz Harbor. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ↑ "RV Information". Santa Cruz Harbor. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ↑ "Marine Sanctuary". Santa Cruz Harbor. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ↑ "History of the Harbor". Santa Cruz Harbor. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ↑ Brown, J. M. (31 July 2010). "Santa Cruz port director brings diverse mix of experience to new job: Ekers first woman to hold harbor's top post". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 6 November 2010.