(December 15, 2000) -- In the public interest, LBReport.com posts Surfrider Foundation's legal filing challenging the Port of LB's EIR and other actions regarding a Carnival Cruise Ship terminal proposed for the area just southeast of the Queen Mary's stern.

Surfrider's petition for writ of mandate can be viewed in .pdf form by clicking on: Surfrider lawsuit.

Although City Hall has not yet filed a formal legal response, in the interest of balance we provide a transcript of the verbal statement by the City Attorney's Office during the December 12 City Council zoning amendment hearing regarding what has become one of the major disputes in the proceeding.

Surfrider's legal action (and hearing testimony by CA Earthcorps President Don May) contend the Port gave jurisdiction over the area to City Hall by ordinance in 1992, thus requiring Coastal Commission approval for the cruise ship terminal.

At the Council hearing, the City Attorney's Office stated their position that the Harbor area is defined by the City Charter and in the Port Master Plan and jurisdiction over the area cannot be overriden by ordinance. A transcript of the City Attorney Office's statement can be viewed by clicking on: City Att'y Office hearing statement.

Both items are posted for our readers' reference. When City Hall files its formal response to Surfrider's legal action, we will seek to add it to our links.

LBReport.com is currently preparing a detailed, hyperlinked and indexed report on the December 12 City Council hearing, including extended transcript excerpts.