A tsunami surge that shattered two of Noyo Harbor”s docks might not be the worst enemy of the post-World War II floating structure. Father Time might demand that the docks be replaced, not repaired.
Building new docks would be a lengthy and very expensive process, involving permits from an alphabet soup of agencies, along with the harbor”s insurance company and federal and state disaster programs, the Noyo Harbor Commission heard at a special meeting last Friday.
Commissioners learned that current estimates for repair are at least $2.5 million and could be much more. All five docks and the sea wall structure appeared to get a fatal head shake from a Federal Emergency Management Agency inspector.
“The FEMA adjuster would like to see a total rebuild… but we haven”t seen his report,” Noyo Harbor District Manager Jere Klenbach told the board.
“If his report comes out clearly saying a complete rebuild is needed, I don”t believe the $4 million original estimate is going to be anywhere close,” said Harbor Assistant Manager Jeanie Mokma.
Damages already calibrated total between $2.5 and $3 million, with an underwater study needed before any estimate can be taken too seriously, district officials have said.
An initial $4 million is the number state and federal authorities were given.
Commission member Dusty Dillion said, having seen and heard the wave hit, he would recommend a total rebuild.
“I don”t think it makes sense to scab onto something that has met its economic life,” said Tom Herman, regional manager for SHN Consulting Engineers.
The district allocated $20,000 to SHN for the company to lead the district through getting permits and grants to rehabilitate or replace the damaged docks. More money could come after another request to the board.
SHN was also represented by DeeLynn Carpenter, who has been involved in many civic boards and organizations over the years, including Noyo Harbor. She commutes to Ukiah to work with SHN.
SHN is currently involved with addressing tsunami damage in Eureka, mostly confined to the Humboldt State University dock, not the City of Eureka dock.
Commissioners heard that the tsunami, although devastating along the coast, probably wouldn”t produce enough monetary damage statewide to receive full FEMA federal disaster relief. That would mean less matching and grant funds through state disaster relief programs called Cal-Ema.
