The San Mateo County Harbor District (SMCHD) is an independent special district formed in 1933 to construct, maintain and administer harbor facilities. SMCHD’s activities are dedicated to two facilities and surrounding marine environs that involve enterprise marine activities and non-enterprise recreation and beach access. Though not well-known, the Harbor District is important because its responsibilities are substantial, and over 50% of its revenues come from our local property taxes. Those responsibilities include supporting commercial fishing at Pillar Point, operating Oyster Point Marina and the ferry terminal in South San Francisco, water rescue, marine-life protection, shoreline protection, and clean-water initiatives along San Mateo County’s coasts.
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SMCHD’s boundaries are coterminous with San Mateo County, while operations are limited to two locations: Oyster Point in South San Francisco and Pillar Point in El Granada. These two locations represent distinct communities with common social and economic interest in commercial and recreational fishing and marine, boating and visitor serving facilities. While SMCHD’s boundaries are countywide, SMCHD operates at two locations: Pillar Point Harbor on the coastside in El Granada and Oyster Point Marina on the bayside in South San Francisco. SMCHD controls Pillar Point Harbor under a State Tidelands Grant and has operated Oyster Point Marina/Park via a Joint Power Agreement (JPA) with the City of South San Francisco since 1977, with a new agreement entered into in 2018 that expires in 2033.
My Goals and Priorities for the San Mateo County Harbor District
Continuing to ensure sound financial management and practices as a member of the Finance Committee and the only Commissioner with a financial background
Providing stability for a calm, safe and productive workplace for Harbor District employees
Maintaining my commitment to addressing sea level rise issues at Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina by funding needed infrastructure
Continuing to lead in my support for regional ferry service out of Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco
Ensuring that ethical governance of the Harbor District continues
My Work as San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioner