From the NCRA's proposal to the CTC as passed today:
"The Port’s Bar Pilots monitor the shoaling and presently address the problem by
restricting drafts of vessels calling at the Port during periods of shoaling. When
confronting such restrictions, vessels must transit the channel partially loaded, incurring
extra transportation costs per ton. Such restrictions result in increased shipping
inefficiencies, particularly for the largest vessels. These inefficiencies can range from
$726,000 to $2.9 million, depending on vessel traffic and when the restrictions are
imposed. Nonetheless, the inefficiencies are significant. In addition, the Port has been
periodically forced to request emergency dredging of the affected areas, which cost
$60,000 to $90,000 a day while shoaling prevented fishing boats from leaving the
Harbor during the highly lucrative fishing season."


"Therefore, reoccurring shoaling at the entrance to Humboldt Bay has been shown to
cause reliability and financial inefficiencies and can lead to vessel groundings, loss of
life and environmental damage."