2 weeks Ago By Todd R. Hansen
FAIRFIELD — It is all about nothing, until it's something else. The broad concept might be a bit understated, but the Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, while lauding the excitement created by the concept of developing a shipbuilding industry in Solano County, emphasized that no actual project has been introduced. Board Chairman Mitch Mashburn admitted he too is excited about the economic possibility of a renewed maritime industry in the county, but said "there's a lot of talk about this, but not a lot of walk.
" He was the only board member actually to say he supported the concept – somewhere in the county. His comments came during an afternoon session of the board, the purpose of which was to let the public know what is actually at the Collinsville site and what is allowed in the zoning designation in the county General Plan. The study area encompasses 8,500 acres, but the actual site zoned for maritime uses is 1,400 acres.
That land is owned by California Forever, the latest in a long line of owners. Supervisor John Vasquez gave a history of the area dating back to the Gold Rush days, noting that over the decades there has been a great deal of talk about developing the area, but nothing has been done so far. That includes during the 17 years the property has been purposefully designated for maritime industry in the General Plan, and even longer that it has been referenced for that use in other regional studies.
"So something is going to happen out there eventually. It's too important (of an) area ..
. but we have to wait for not just a proposal, but a project," Vasquez said. The supervisor lamented that the flurry of attention about the shipbuilding concept is taking valuable time away from county planning staff who should instead be focused on updating the General Plan.
"I just want us to have our focus, and our focus should be the General Plan," Vasquez said. "That should be the vehicle driving this," added Mashburn, "and the county should be driving that bus." In fact, the chairman said the real threat to the county is if the state or federal government comes in to take away the local decision-making control over the land-use project.
State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-Yolo, did walk down that path, introducing legislation last week that would give the state final say, with county input. He pulled the bill after pushback.
The county sent him a letter saying that it not only opposed the legislation, but that it would fight to have it defeated. "If we don't have a say in what is built in our county, we don't have a say in our future," Mashburn said. California Forever representatives did not speak during the presentation, but issued a statement.
“The Solano Shipyard is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore America's maritime leadership, revitalize our county’s shipbuilding heritage, and bring tens of thousands of good jobs to the area. We look forward to working with Solano County and all other stakeholders to seize this moment and make Solano County an essential part of American shipbuilding once again." Eleven members of the public did speak – none thought Collinsville was the right location, and most believed California Forever is the wrong organization to be involved.
There were also a number of written comments, some more friendly to the idea. The same negative impression many in Solano County have about the development group regarding its East Solano Plan – project details of which have not yet been filed with the county either – has carried forward with the shipbuilding concept. But the idea, and therefore California Forever, has its supporters, including four city councils, the Travis Community Consortium and Assemblywoman Lori Wilson among others.
U.S. Rep.
John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, is more keen on using funds available through the federal SHIP Act to recreate the once vibrant Mare Island shipyard. That act provides funding for existing shipbuilding operations, but few believe the pot of gold is big enough for what is wanted. And the competition figures to be fierce.
Supervisors Wanda Williams and Cassandra James indicated that Vallejo must be part of the discussions no matter what project may ultimately be brought forward. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create the Office of Maritime and Industrial Capacity at the National Security Council in the White House and the order calls for the development of a Maritime Action Plan with a focus on revamping the military shipping industry. Supervisor Monica Brown said executive orders have "no teeth" and it has no funding either.
The Collinsville proposal has been represented as having ties to the U.S. Navy.
In fact, California Forever was asked to respond to a request for information from military representatives last year. Even some of the speakers at the board meeting acknowledged the national security importance of more shipbuilding, but no one said Collinsville is necessarily the place for that to happen. Most everyone agreed with the supervisors that a great deal more information is needed, including detailed information about the site, the water depth, road and other essential infrastructure, and one rancher in the area said assurances that existing agriculture will be protected is a must, too.
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