Ventura : Port District Funds Approved by House

Breakwater improvements and annual funding for dredging in Ventura Harbor have been approved by the House of Representatives.

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, $1.27 million would be budgeted for dredging and $300,000 for the breakwater improvements for the 1990-91 fiscal year beginning Oct 1.

“We’re optimistic that the Senate will approve appropriations similar to those of the House,” said Richard Parsons, general manager of the Ventura Port District.

The $300,000 would go toward preliminary engineering and design for fortifying and extending the breakwater. The total cost of the project is estimated at $6.5 million.

The breakwater would keep some ocean debris from the harbor, so dredging could be done every two years instead of annually, officials said.

The House also voted to give $300,000 to the Army Corps of Engineers to help Ventura and Santa Barbara counties evaluate emergency water supply options during the drought.

“Almost anything having to do with water requires a permit from the corps, so we decided to get a head start and involve them right away. Plus they have the technical expertise to help out,” said John Doherty, an aide to Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino (R-Ventura).

Options the corps and local agencies will evaluate include shipping in water from Canada, recycling used water for irrigation and using desalination units.