By Flynn Demapendan-Espana & Colton Silva
Benicia, also known as the jewel of Solano County, was named and claimed in 1847 after a Mexican General, Mariano Vallejo, sold the land from his vast land grant to Robert Semple. Founded in 1849, historic Benicia was the third city that was incorporated into California in 1851.
Benicia is in the north bank of the Carquinez Strait, which connects Suisun Bay with San Pablo Bay. On the part of the town next to the body of water, a lot of residents park their boat and go sailing on the Strait. In the Benicia Marina, they live next to the body of water, where they can dock their boats and take them out to ride whenever they like.
Many people who live in the Marina have a variety of boats parked in the dock, ranging from sail boats, motor boats, and even yachts. “I like to take my boat out at least once a week,” said a resident from the Marina. “I enjoy taking trips in the water. Despite the rough tides and harsh winds, I love the sea.”
Although, with boating, the motor and the “newest version” of the boat is not the important factor. The water is. At the beginning of this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated an Administrative Order on Consent with C&H Sugar Company Inc. in response to the Clean Water Act violations at the company’s sugar refinery in Crockett, California.
The company’s plant has been discharging pollutants in the Carquinez strait in an unauthorized manner. “With this order, EPA is ensuring that C&H Sugar will act to protect the Bay and prevent further unauthorized discharges into the Carquinez Strait,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.
But the company’s discharging is not the only thing that contributes to the water pollution in the Strait. The motors in motor boats contribute as well, including the direct discharge of the pollutants of the unburned fuel and oil from engines, as the introduction of the hydrocarbons and heavy metals also affect the waters.
Although, there are other boats that are considered to be less polluting than gas powered boats, such as electric boats and sailboats. Electric boats produce zero direct emissions, while sailboats, not being entirely pollution-free, do significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared to motorboats.
Water pollution drastically affects boating, dramatically impacting water quality, safety, the environment, and also the waves. With the direction and impact of the waves, it only adds onto the difficulties of boating in polluted water. The pollution affects the waves by impacting on the coastal ecosystems and changing the physical properties of the water.
The microplastics and pollutants can alter the wave breaking processes by accumulating in the “surf zone”, which is an area in the nearshore region of water where waves break due to the shallow water depth. It can also cause eutrophication, which is a surge of plant and algal growth. The blooms can alter the water clarity and potentially change wave patterns.
So, the next time you are out on the Benicia pier or out boating in the water, take a minute to look at the once beautiful body of water that inhabits our beautiful world and think about how you can help change it for the better.
beniciapaw.com 