CITY OF FORT BRAGG
Incorporated August 5, 1889
416 N. Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
https://www.city.fortbragg.com/
August 8, 2022
Mr. Jeff Lucus, Principal
Community Development Services
3895 Main Street
Kelseyville, CA 95451
Re: Support for Mendocino County Grant Application in Support of the Noyo Harbor District Planning and Technical Assistance to Establish a Fuel Dock Dear Mr. Lucas,
The City Council of the City of Fort Bragg would like to offer our support for Mendocino County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application in support of Noyo Harbor District. The Noyo Harbor’s 2019 Community Sustainability Plan identified several priority implementation projects to improve the commercial and recreational fishing industries in Fort Bragg; top on the list, the development of a fuel dock.
Noyo Harbor is an important part of Fort Bragg, currently and historically. The Noyo Harbor District and the thirty plus businesses within its service area are essential to the local and regional economy of the North Coast, employing up to 568 people during peak fishing and tourism seasons. The City works closely with the Harbor in many areas, and is an active partner in a coordinated regional effort exploring how opportunities emerging within the “blue economy” might drive regional economic development.
The blue economy offers a promising outlook for our coastal region, a path toward economic diversification that could improve local livelihoods and the quality of life for residents, while also supporting healthy marine ecosystems. Several key infrastructure investments have been identified in order to position our region for blue economy investment, the fuel dock being one. Others include establishing ocean water intake and discharge infrastructure; redevelopment of the mooring basin; establishing an icehouse; implementing North Harbor Drive circulation improvements and providing connectivity between the Noyo Harbor and Noyo Headlands Park trail; as well as the construction of a facility for Noyo Center for Marine Science.
The requested CDBG funds would be used to determine the size, location, design, engineering, budget, operating costs, environmental assessment, permitting requirements, and a development timeline to establish a fuel dock that would serve the commercial operators, fisherman, and pleasure boaters operating out of the Noyo Harbor District. And the outcome of this analysis will allow the Harbor District to pursue to build out and arrange for the operation of a fuel dock facility.
We, the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg support these investments and offer this letter of support to Mendocino County’s CDBG application.
Sincerely,
Bernie Norvell Jessica Morsell-Haye
Mayor Vice Mayor
Lindy Peters Tess Albin-Smith Marcia Rafanan
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
Cc: Anna Neuman, Noyo Harbormaster