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Seagulls were a factor in collapse of California's iconic Santa Cruz wharf

After part of the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the ocean amid powerful waves on Monday, feathered culprits have been found to factor
into the pierÆs damage: seagulls.

Specifically, environmental requirements meant to protect the birds during their nesting season delayed necessary repairs to the 110-year-old
structure, the Mercury News first reported.

A 2021 repair and maintenance plan for the wharf published by the
California Coastal Commission states that repairs and maintenance are
needed on the structure due to its ôage, location, and construction
material.ö The plan also states that since seabirds like western gulls and pigeon guillemots are known to nest in the wooden columns that support the wharf, major repairs should take place outside of the birdsÆ nesting
period, which occurs from mid-February to the start of September.

That means major repairs ù including the replacement of the pierÆs wooden columns ù must take place during what are generally the stormiest months
of the year.

ôOur work window is a very narrow six months over the winter time when we
tend to have storms and big waves,ö Tony Elliot, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Santa Cruz, told the Mercury News. ôThe wharf
is a 110-year-old structure, and it requires a lot of work. à It takes
more than six months out of the year to maintain it effectively.ö

Those maintenance needs directly conflict with protections for the
seabirds, which are upheld by the Coastal Commission. A memorandum
included in the commissionÆs wharf repair plan said the birds are
ôsensitive during their reproductive life history phasesö and wharf repair processes ôhave the potential to significantly disturb nesting seabirds
and affect nestling survivorship.ö

The memorandum continued, ôThere have been discussions recognizing that
the unique nature of the wharf environment itself is unlike typical
seabird nesting sites and therefore warrants special consideration, and
the City has continually expressed concern that protections for the
nesting seabirds impose conflicts with the needed wharf maintenance and repair.ö

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/california-santa-cruz-pier- collapse-seagulls-20004704.php

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