Saving the Bay

Regarding the June 10 Commentary by Lyn Greene, “Bay Health Controversy Surfaces Again”:

I would like to point out that nearly all pollution problems of regional significance are of an inter-jurisdictional, and thus, controversial nature. The problems associated with any body of water as large as our San Diego Bay receiving a diverse range of pollutants will not be resolved through consensus within the scientific community.

Science is based on critical thought, controversy and the quest for a more complete understanding of what is termed “knowledge.” As presented in your commentary, scientists become the scapegoats for the lack of action regarding enhancement of San Diego Bay.

One finds that practical resolution of problems and successful accomplishment of solutions rests within the purview of the political and institutional arena, with a modicum of support from the scientific community. If an accord for positive action were established between the U.S. Navy and the Board of Port Commissioners, you would see 90% of a solution for the future health of San Diego Bay in hand.

The problems here are no more complex or diverse, from a technical, economic or political perspective, than those of San Francisco Bay, Santa Monica Harbor, Puget Sound, Monterey Bay or any other coastal body of water involving multi-agency jurisdiction.

The real issue is the absence of a single regional authority with a clear mandate to maintain or improve the health of San Diego Bay. Fragmentation? Possibly, but not of research, studies and other scientific efforts intended to more clearly define the myriad of cause-and-effect relationships. It is rather the absence of a common interagency agenda which can be implemented.

JOHN KENNEDY

San Diego