Article published - Jul 6, 2005
It's ironic that a project that would benefit the environment has been
stalled for years because of environmental concerns.
The project in
question is the wetlands restoration of Skaggs Island. The location and the size
(4,400 acres) of the island are key to improving the water quality and ecosystem
of San Pablo Bay.
Environmental concerns are centered on approximately 65
acres of the island that the U.S. Navy used as a communication center and which
may be the site of toxic contamination.
The Navy would like to turn over
the portion of the island it owns (a total of 3,100 acres) to an agency more
suited to perform wetlands restoration. But no agency, understandably, wants to
inherit the task of cleaning up toxins.
As a result, the project has been
at a standstill for several years - until now.
Renewed negotiations are
focused on a solution that would give the land to the California Department of
Fish and Game, while the Navy would retain responsibility for any clean-up. As a
sign of good faith, the state has approved $8 million for removing old Navy
structures that remain on the site.
People who care about a healthier San
Pablo Bay will cross their fingers and hope that government will finally find a
way to move forward.
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