Rerport on 9th Maritime Leadership Symposium john.denham Total Views: 47 May 26, 2009 PORT AND HARBOR MANAGERS MEETING By John G. Denham A gathering of 132 maritime and related afficionados of the California ports, harbors and maritime facilities met in Sacramento on the 12-14 May and were exposed to political, bureaucratic and professional views on the business of directing, managing and surviving in today’s economic and environmentally challenging environment. Sponsoring this specialized professional symposium was big player CHEVRON, the ports of LA/LB, San Diego and the U.S. Propeller Club and also supported by the Ports of Humboldt Bay and Santa Cruz who joined with a dozen other involved contributors. Bunked down at the luxurious Hyatt hotel, in the shadow of the state capitol the 2 ½ day 9th California Maritime Leadership Symposium informed the crowded assembly to an inside view of the daily, annual, short and long term operations for California’s eleven sea ports. Dave Hull, the CEO of Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District and chairman of the California Maritime and Navigation Committee (CMANC) a major sponsor, introduced the attendees to a time more exciting than “24” on Monday night TV. The first morning sessions were dedicated to panel discussions by over a dozen practicing experts that reviewed California’s proposed new water laws and regulations, emission laws and regulations and proposed habitat and species protections laws effecting the ports, harbor and waterways of California.The afternoon sessions complemented the morning’s effort with more experts discussing “greening” strategies for inland and off shore waters. The day ended with the feeling that wildlife and the environment were well taken care of and the ports and harbors would compensate. Day two started with Senator Alan Lowenthal, Senate Transportation Committee, explaining the political difference between fees and taxes; it is just money until you try and spend it. He