Furor Arises Over Site of Jet Ski Competition : Environment: Coastal Commission investigating impact of event held at mouth of Santa Clara River.

The area at the mouth of the Santa Clara River contains such fragile ecosystems as sand dunes, an estuary and a sanctuary for the endangered least tern.

Is it any place to hold a Jet Ski competition?

That’s what the state Coastal Commission and others are asking after learning that the BC Racing Assn.’s Western Summer championships had taken place there July 26. Held for the first time in Ventura, the event attracted an estimated 100 competitors, 200 machines and about 4,000 spectators.

“We’re not opposed to the event, only the location,” said Virginia Johnson, an official with the Coastal Commission’s South Central region.

Ventura surfer Jon Patton, who complained to the commission about the event, said he saw Jet Skiers pulling their machines across the beach or hauling them behind all-terrain motorcycles. In the process, “They ran down a sand dune,” he said.

The commission is sending out a biologist or other expert to assess whether any environmental damage has occurred. If it has, then the commission has the power to fine BC Racing as much as $10,000 or order it to restore the dune.

Ventura Port District Harbor Master John Tyler has come under fire. Patton calls him “naive” for issuing a permit for the event. James Johnson, an official area manager for the Coastal Commission’s South Central region, believes Tyler should have used better judgment.

“Would they have allowed a monster truck contest on the sand dunes?” asks Johnson (no relation to Virginia). “I think not.”

An official of BC Racing, based in Laguna Niguel, said Tyler never mentioned how sensitive the area is. “We would not go to a place that has those concerns,” said Brad Cuthbertson, BC Racing’s 36-year-old owner.

Instead of keeping the Jet Skiers out of the area, Cuthbertson said, Tyler encouraged them to use it, “directing us” to the river mouth and “recognizing it as the most suitable spot.”

Tyler disputes that, saying, “I told them (about the river mouth) but didn’t ‘direct’ them.”

The city of Ventura is responsible for most of the area in which the Jet Ski event was held. Other agencies might not have been as lenient as the Port District. Had BC Racing tried to hold the competition on state property, “We wouldn’t have allowed it” to protect the environment and swimmers, said Andrew Zilke, supervising ranger for the Channel Coast District of the state Department of Parks and Recreation.

Although Cuthbertson thought he had obtained the right permit from the Port District, the Coastal Commission now says that a Coastal Development permit also was necessary. The commission is deciding whether to make Cuthbertson pay $250 for “an after-the-fact permit,” Virginia Johnson said.

Tyler thinks it is much ado about nothing. “I’ve never heard of the Coastal Commission giving a permit for a special event,” he said.

Tyler also disputes the contention that the Jet Skiers harmed the environment.

Cuthbertson, who will put on about 25 racing events this year, has not picked his 1993 sites but would like to return to Ventura.

If the Jet Skiers do ask to come back next year? “If they meet our permit requirements,” Tyler said, “there’d be no problem.”

Except with the Coastal Commission. “We would probably recommend to the Port District that they find another location,” Virginia Johnson said.