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Spring 1997 |
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Page 3 |
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Inside |
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Moss Landing Marine Labs |
pg. 3 |
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Farewell To Our Fearless Leader |
pg. 3 |
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Terry Jackson, who has been the MBNMS Manager since designation in 1992, may be leaving us for a new position with NOAA. His hard work, dedication to the Sanctuary and local community, and warm personality will be sorely missed. When Terry first came to Monterey, he and one staff person were responsible for the entire Sanctuary. "It was a formidable job," says Tami Grove of the California Coastal Commission. "Terry had to develop a management plan for a very large region. That required that he build strong bridges with all levels of the community and government." |
Rebuilding Plans Move Ahead
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), a world-renowned institution, is the center of marine science activities for a consortium of seven California state university campuses, including those in San Francisco, San Jose and Monterey Bay. Many of the school's graduates have remained in this area and are active members of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary research, education and conservation communities.
The Labs' facilities in Moss Landing were completely destroyed by extensive liquefaction and offshore slumping on October 17, 1989, during the Loma Prieta earthquake. Since that time, students and faculty have been spread throughout six separate locations including temporary trailers in Moss Landing and administrative offices, classrooms and the library located ten miles inland in Salinas. "We are really looking forward to re-unifying the students," says Ken Johnson, MLML professor of oceanography. "When the Labs are rebuilt, the students can return to their primary concern of studying the ocean instead of road maps."
Because the Labs' original location was deemed unsafe for rebuilding, efforts have been underway since the earthquake to locate and develop an alternative site. After considering a variety of alternatives, a 21.7 acre-site ("the Peterson property") located west of Moss Landing Road and adjacent to the Castroville Cemetery has been selected.
Reconstruction plans have met significant resistance over the past several years from a small but vocal minority in Moss Landing. "Without this irrational opposition to the project by a few local individuals, the Labs probably would have been rebuilt by now, and for a much lower cost," explains MLML Director Gary Greene.
MLML administrators hope to have completed the last few steps in the permitting process by mid-1997. These include public hearings before the Monterey County Planning Commission, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and, if there is any opposition at the latter, public hearings before the California Coastal Commission. "We are confident that these agencies will approve the project," says Bruce Stewart, President of the Friends of MLML, an independent group that supports the Labs' activities.
The current plans make every effort to take into consideration all reasonable concerns about the project, according to Greene. The proposed one-story wood frame structure will be situated so as to be barely visible along the site's ridge line. Plans also include removing a sub-standard water tower and replacing it with an in-ground system which will improve water service to the entire Moss Landing community as well as provide a less obstructed natural view. The draft EIR states that "the proposed project would [provide] habitat enhancement and restoration for sensitive species." Further, MLML has worked closely with local Native American groups to protect archeological material found on the site.
The new building will also be designed to increase the Labs' existing public education efforts. "We plan to have a visitor center in the lobby so we can host elementary, middle and secondary school children," says Stewart. The student body is also considering establishing an outreach program for area schools. "This is something our students have always done informally," explains Stewart, "but they are considering creating a more structured program."
Funding for the reconstruction comes from a combination of sources. MLML received $12.6 million from FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), another $4.9 million has come from the State of California and a private donor has provided $1 million specifically for creating additional space for the Labs. "We are still several million short of our goal, and will be fundraising actively for that amount," explains Greene.
MLML has been a member of the Moss Landing community for
thirty years. Faculty, staff and students look forward to
the day when they can be full participants in the community
again, according to Greene. 
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From those early days, the staff has grown to over fifteen and the Sanctuary has developed many programs and relationships that have furthered the goal of protecting and preserving the natural beauty of this area. "Terry soon learned of the power of using the already-existing [research, education and conservation] working groups," explains Gregor Cailliet, Chair of the Research Activity Panel. "Terry attended many of the groups' meetings and provided as much support as he possibly could. He has constantly provided financial support; the use of NOAA's ship, the McArthur, as a free research platform is one solid example of this." Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS Research Coordinator and Senior Scientist, agrees. "Terry has excellent skills in facilitating communication and collaboration," says DeVogelaere. "Marine science in the Sanctuary region has benefited greatly from his efforts." All observers agree that one of Terry's main strengths has been in building a very talented staff. "He has hired an exceptional group of people," says Rachel Saunders, Chair of the Conservation Working Group. "Terry has been wonderfully supportive of us all, encouraging us to use our expertise to promote Sanctuary conservation, education and research programs," adds Education Coordinator Liz Love. As a demonstration of the local community's fondness and respect for Terry, he was given a Special Recognition Award at the recent Sanctuary Currents Symposium, an honor that has been bestowed upon only two other individuals in the event's history. We all wish Terry and his family the best in their future adventures. |
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Last modified on: June 14,
1999