6 • Feb. 7 - Feb. 20, 2020 • The Log
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RE: “Bills to Watch in 2020: War on Single Use Plastics” (Jan. 24-Feb. 6) I am sure that the tyrants in Sacramento are working as hard as they can to tell us how to live our lives, Stalin would be proud. So much for a free country. Munnster RE: “Is managed retreat a viable response to sea level rise?” (Jan. 10-23) Thus far, I have not been able to determine that there is any evidence actual sea level rise exists anywhere in the world. I am not saying it does not, but to the extent I can read and evaluate reports, not yet. Of the many vulnerable areas, two of the widely anticipated early victims were Kiribati and Netherlands. Both are still with us, and Netherlands appears to be surviving quite well, with no land loss for either. Cliff collapse and beach erosion existed in California long before man supposedly produced enough heat to be have an noticeable environmental effect, and I am of the “opinion” (note the quotes for emphasis) that the twin beliefs that we are a sig-
nificant cause/and can reverse global warming (or climate change) is simply hubris and chicanery, often with corrupt motivation. Sure, we can reduce our influence, probably to our own detriment, with little benefit to the environment. I hope any reader paid attention to the separation of what I represent as fact and opinion. Brian Aherne
RE: “Port of San Diego hopes to fine-tune in-water hull cleaning policy” (Jan. 10-23) The Port’s hull cleaning policy continues to be (amended or not) a poorly crafted, toothless and ineffective attempt to reduce copper loading in San Diego’s waterways. The only way to reach the federally mandated water quality goals for copper is to ban copper-based anti fouling paints. Studies have proven that even eliminating in-water hull cleaning altogether would not achieve this. The Port is merely going after an easy target by regulating hull divers in this way. Matthew Peterson
Island Express Helicopters temporarily halts Catalina service Helicopter involved in the crash killing Kobe Bryant and eight others was part of the Island Express fleet; Ara Zobayan, who helmed the fateful flight, was the company’s chief pilot. BY PARIMAL M. ROHIT LONG BEACH — The sole helicopter service from the mainland to Catalina Island will be grounded temporarily, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and multiple news sources. Island Express Helicopters, which is based in Long Beach
FAST FACTS
by J.R. Johnson
See ISLAND EXPRESS page 7
California celebrated boating and fishing in June 2019
BY PARIMAL M. ROHIT STATEWIDE — The first nine
On Board With Johnson
and offered quick flights to and from Catalina Island, owned the helicopter involved in the crash killing former NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter, a college baseball coach and six others. No timeline has been given as to when Island Express Helicopters would resume its service from San Pedro to Catalina. Ara Zobayan, Island Express Helicopters’ chief pilot, was at the helm of the Jan. 26 helicopter flight from John Wayne Airport to Ventura County. He had been with the company for 10 years and logged more than 8,000 flight hours, according to a statement released by Island Express Helicopters. “One of our helicopters, N72EX, Sikorsky S76, was involved in an accident on Sunday, January 26th in the Calabasas area of LA
days of June 2019 served as California Fishing and Boating Week, coinciding with a national campaign of a similar title (National Fishing and Boating Week) at the same time. Legislators in Sacramento approved a resolution last spring to declare California Fishing and Boating Week, June 1-9, 2019. The resolution, which was filed with the Secretary of State’s office on June 13, 2019 – a whole four days after the nine-day “week” was over – listed several interesting facts about boating and fishing in the United States. It declared boating and fishing as “cherished American traditions,” promoting “family values and unity … [and] wholesome recreation and outdoor lifestyles.” More than 141 million Americans (71.1 million adults,
70.5 million children) engage in boating activities each year, according to the resolution. Recreational boating, as an industry, contributes $170.3 billion to the national economy, the resolution added. This includes direct, indirect and induced spending. The U.S. recreational boating economy also supports more than 35,000 businesses and 691,000 jobs (direct and indirect). The United States manufactures 95 percent of boats sold in the country, according to state legislators. Our fishing economy is supported by 49 million anglers and, according to the 2019 resolution, helps “generate a total economic output of $125 billion and 802,000 jobs.” “Anglers and boaters are stewards of the environment, contributing $1.6 billion in excise taxes annually to the federal Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which
funds habitat conservation and restoration efforts, preserving our natural resources for future generations,” the resolution stated. “Sport fishing is vital to California’s tourism economy, with 2 million anglers spending $2.9 billion while fishing, supporting $5.2 billion in economic output and 37,000 jobs.” The annual economic impact of recreational boating on the California economy, according to the resolution, is $13 billion, 41,125 jobs, 2,820 businesses and 745,641 registered boats. National Fishing and Boating Week was acknowledged in the resolution as “a fantastic opportunity for families to spend time together on the water” and “a special week, filled with events nationwide that provide families an opportunity to reconnect, create new memories, and have fun together on the water.”
