Stearns Wharf was devastated by fire last November.

State legislators have asked the Coastal Conservancy to help, in keeping with its long-standing commitment to maintaining the state's diverse and extremely popular public piers. Stearns Wharf was one of the Conservancy's first urban pier and waterfront restoration projects, nearly two decades ago. Since then, portions of the wharf have been damaged by heavy seas and winter storms in 1983 and 1998 and by an electrical fire in 1986.

The pier was built in 1872 as a shipping terminal. After it was no longer needed for this use, it came to be valued for recreation. In 1973 a fire severely damaged the pier and it was subsequently closed for eight years. The City submitted at least two different restoration plans to the California Coastal Commission, but these were rejected because they included view-blocking structures, inadequate public space, and insufficient parking. In 1978 the City requested the Conservancy's help in finding a way out of the stalemate.

The challenge was to find a way to make the pier financially self-sustaining while maintaining its historic character and maximizing free public access. The Conservancy was able to bring together funding sources that enabled the City to redesign the project with three-fourths of the deck open to the public for fishing, strolling, or taking in the view. The Conservancy contributed $400,000, half on loan, toward the $3 million restoration project. The City's architects produced building designs for a large restaurant, snack shops, a fish market, and other small stores, which won the approval of the Coastal Commission. The rebuilt Stearns Wharf opened in 1981, and currently attracts over five million visitors a year.

During the past two decades the Conservancy has contributed more than $15 million to pier rebuilding and restoration projects along the entire California coast. These funds have leveraged another $50 million in other public investment and even more in private investment.

Piers are inevitably vulnerable to storm damage. Those replaced with Conservancy assistance at Pismo Beach, Oceanside, Huntington Beach, and Manhattan Beach have suffered the least from recent heavy storms. Among many piers requiring restoration, those most in need of repair are the Municipal Pier at San Francisco's Aquatic Park, the Pacifica Pier, Aliso Pier in Orange County, Malibu Pier, and the Capitola Pier. More state funds are needed if these coastal landmarks are to be maintained and enjoyed by the public. In recent years, however, no funds have been allocated to the Conservancy for urban waterfront and pier restoration projects.

Marc Beyeler is manager of the Coastal Conservancy's Urban Waterfronts Program.