[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2312-E2313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOSS LANDING HARBOR DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th 
anniversary of the Moss Landing Harbor District. Moss Landing is a 
picturesque coastal hamlet tucked into the dunes of the Monterey Bay 
halfway between its better known neighbors of Monterey and Santa Cruz. 
It is home to some fantastic restaurants and cafes and an eclectic 
group of antique shops and some of the best sea otter viewing 
opportunities anywhere. The many boats that fill its harbor offer a 
photographers dream of masts and gleaming boat hulls berthed alongside 
well-worked fishing vessels. It is a truly wonderful place to visit 
like so

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many other small harbor communities around the coasts of the United 
States.
  A little deeper look reveals a community that is much more than a 
quaint tourist stop. Moss Landing is a true economic powerhouse of the 
California Coast. For starters, it is home to the Monterey Bay region's 
largest commercial fishing fleet. It is also home to two of the top 
marine science research institutions in the world--the Moss Landing 
Marine Lab and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Because of 
those labs, several world class ocean research vessels call the port 
home. Moss Landing is also a major draw for ocean recreationists of all 
stripes, from sailors, recreational fishers, kayakers, and surfers. It 
is also home to Mighty Mo, the largest natural gas fired power plant on 
the west coast.
  Moss Landing has a long history of commercial vitality, dating back 
to the mid nineteenth century and the grain loading wharf operated by 
the community's namesake Captain Charlie Moss. But the real growth 
dates back to the 1947 creation of the Moss Landing Harbor District and 
the dredging and stabilization of the harbor channel by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers. Over the past 60 years, the district has shepherded 
Moss Landing's development into economic powerhouse that supports 
recreation, commercial fishing, science, and tourism.
  Under the leadership of the current Harbor Commission President Russ 
Jeffries, Commission members, Margaret ``Peggy'' Shirrel, Ph.D., Yohn 
Gideon, Vince Ferrante and Frank Gomes, Jr., and Harbormaster Linda G. 
McIntyre, Esq., the Harbor District has just this year completed a 
major $4 million renovation of its north harbor area. The new amenities 
include a new 4-lane launch ramp, paving of the 5-acre site for 
parking, storm drains and a boat wash, a 900-foot public access wharf 
at the water's edge, and a 110-foot visitor serving dock alongside the 
wharf. A pedestrian/bicycle trail, funded by a Federal grant, and 
designed to run along the perimeter of North Harbor along scenic 
Highway 1, will complete the project. This last component of the 
project is the central part of a comprehensive bike and pedestrian 
trail under development that will link Monterey to Santa Cruz and place 
Moss Landing at the heart of what will be one of the most spectacular 
coastal trail experiences on the Pacific coast.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the 
Moss Landing Harbor District for 60 years of achievement. I know that I 
speak for the whole House in offering congratulations to the 
leadership, employees, and users of this Pacific Coast gem.

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