Sand removal in the Bay threatens species and worsens coastal erosion, lawsuit claims

"California cannot afford to sell off its public resources for private profits. Doing so hurts San Francisco Bay and is not in the best interest of anyone who lives in the Bay Area and enjoys our shorelines."

"Under the deal, two companies, North Carolina-based Martin Marietta and Vallejo-based Lind Marine, would lease approximately 3,900 acres of the Bay to extract sand from the Bay using suction dredges. The dredges would operate mostly between San Francisco and Angel Island, as well as at two locations where the Sacramento River flows into the Bay offshore of Pittsburg."

"San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental group focused on protecting the Bay, filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court last week against the California State Lands Commission, alleging that the commission's decision to allow mining will destroy fragile habitat, harm fish and other wildlife, and potentially worsen coastal erosion."

The California State Lands Commission approved a sand mining project in San Francisco Bay, allowing two companies—Martin Marietta and Lind Marine—to lease approximately 3,900 acres to extract sand using suction dredges. The operation would occur primarily between San Francisco and Angel Island, plus two locations where the Sacramento River enters the Bay. San Francisco Baykeeper filed a lawsuit challenging the decision, arguing the mining will destroy fragile habitat, harm fish and wildlife, and potentially increase coastal erosion. The companies would pay annual rents between $464 and $2,552 per acre, with extracted sand transported via barge to Oakland facilities for construction use. The 10-year lease represents a renewal of previously approved mining operations from 2012.

Read at The Oaklandside