Coastal Turmoil: Sea Scouts Forced to Relocate Amid Waterfront Deterioration

San Francisco’s rich maritime legacy is facing a concerning decline, evident in the crumbling piers and wharves across the city. From the renowned Aquatic Cove in District 2 to the neglected structures in southeast District 10, a distressing pattern emerges, driven by bureaucratic inaction and infrastructural deterioration. The Sea Scouts, a longstanding youth maritime initiative, exemplify this struggle as the National Park Service (NPS) has irrevocably dismantled their historic wooden wharf, despite local efforts to restore it at no financial cost.Steve Welch, Commodore of the Sea Scouts, shared the painful reality of losing access to their facilities. Since the NPS assumed control in 2000, Scout-led maintenance has ceased, exacerbating decay. Each proposal for repairs has been met with rejection, leaving the organization grappling with limited access to essential resources. Meanwhile, a broader neglect threatens numerous waterfront locations, necessitating urgent intervention. Without prompt action, vital infrastructure faces imminent collapse due to climate change and ongoing neglect. This predicament calls for a collaborative effort among community members to forge sustainable solutions.