2001 Commission News

BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION APPROVES $5,668,000 IN PROJECTS

At a meeting held on November 29 in San Diego, the California Boating and Waterways Commission approved $5,668,000 in Department of Boating and Waterways boating launching facility grants. The approved projects are:

Fresno County - Shaver Lake -- A $720,000 grant to the County of Fresno for a project to construct a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp, with a turnaround area, a paved parking area, two restrooms, and to widen and improve the access road.

Imperial County - Salton Sea, Red Hill Marina -- A $100,000 phase-one grant to the County of Imperial for a $1,800,000 project to construct a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp with two boarding floats; dredge the jetty channel and construct a 400-foot rock extension to the jetty; pave and stripe the access road, and parking area for 100 vehicles/trailers and 50 single cars; construct four shade structures, a fish-cleaning station, and a barrier-free restroom; add curbing and walkways; and provide utilities, drainage, lighting landscaping, irrigation and signs.

Kern County - Lake Evans -- A grant of $350,000, for the third phase of improvements to the west boat launching facility, including the construction of a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp, two aluminum boarding floats on each side of the ramp; a new paved parking area for 40 vehicle/trailer spaces and turnaround area; a restroom, walkway, fish cleaning station, and a walkway; add plumbing, electrical service, lighting, slope protection and signs.

San Bernardino County - Colorado River, Moabi Regional Park -- A $1,273,000 grant to the County of San Bernardino, for improvements including the replacement of the existing five-lane boat launching ramp with a seven-lane concrete ramp; the redesigning and repaving the existing parking area; construct a new sheriff's dock and a shade structure, and install underground utilities.

San Diego County -- Grants were to the City of San Diego will fund improvements to seven boat launching facilities under its jurisdiction:

Barrett Reservoir -- A $480,000 grant to construct a new boat launching ramp and parking lot, install a prefabricated restroom, and add parking area lighting and utilities.

El Capitan Reservoir -- A $648,000 grant for improvements including widening the low-water boat launching ramp; installing two aluminum boarding floats, a barrier-free walkway, and two shade structures; and installing an aluminum boarding float, and a barrier-free restroom and a barrier-free walkway for personal watercraft users at Jetski Point.

Hodges Reservoir -- A $252,000 grant for improvements including the installation of two aluminum boarding floats at the low-water boat launching ramp, and one at the high-water ramp; replace the portable restrooms with two barrier-free prefabricated restrooms, and the construction of a barrier-free walkway.

Lower Otay Reservoir -- A $408,000 grant for improvements including repaving and restriping the south parking area; constructing a barrier-free walkway and a shade structure; and providing two aluminum boarding floats, landscaping, lighting and drainage.

Miramar Reservoir -- A $288,000 grant for improvements including replacing the existing restroom with a barrier-free restroom, and constructing a barrier-free walkway.

San Vicente Reservoir -- A $540,000 grant for improvements including two aluminum boarding floats for the boat launching ramp, and one for Lowell Island; repaving the boat staging parking area; providing a prefabricated restroom; constructing a barrier-free walkway, and a shade structure.

Sutherland Reservoir -- A $609,000 grant to construct a two-lane high-water boat launching ramp with two aluminum boarding floats; a high-water parking area with 100 vehicle/trailer spaces, lighting and utilities; a barrier-free walkway; and replace the portable restrooms with a barrier-free prefabricated restroom.

Department loans and grants require the consent of the Boating and Waterways Commission. The seven-member commission, appointed by the Governor, also advises the Department on matters within its jurisdiction. Funding for the projects is derived from the taxes paid by boaters on the purchase of gasoline for their vessels.

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BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION APPROVES $5,668,000 IN PROJECTS

At a meeting held on November 29 in San Diego, the California Boating and Waterways Commission approved $5,668,000 in Department of Boating and Waterways boating launching facility grants. The approved projects are:

Fresno County - Shaver Lake -- A $720,000 grant to the County of Fresno for a project to construct a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp, with a turnaround area, a paved parking area, two restrooms, and to widen and improve the access road.

Imperial County - Salton Sea, Red Hill Marina -- A $100,000 phase-one grant to the County of Imperial for a $1,800,000 project to construct a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp with two boarding floats; dredge the jetty channel and construct a 400-foot rock extension to the jetty; pave and stripe the access road, and parking area for 100 vehicles/trailers and 50 single cars; construct four shade structures, a fish-cleaning station, and a barrier-free restroom; add curbing and walkways; and provide utilities, drainage, lighting landscaping, irrigation and signs.

Kern County - Lake Evans -- A grant of $350,000, for the third phase of improvements to the west boat launching facility, including the construction of a two-lane concrete boat launching ramp, two aluminum boarding floats on each side of the ramp; a new paved parking area for 40 vehicle/trailer spaces and turnaround area; a restroom, walkway, fish cleaning station, and a walkway; add plumbing, electrical service, lighting, slope protection and signs.

San Bernardino County - Colorado River, Moabi Regional Park -- A $1,273,000 grant to the County of San Bernardino, for improvements including the replacement of the existing five-lane boat launching ramp with a seven-lane concrete ramp; the redesigning and repaving the existing parking area; construct a new sheriff's dock and a shade structure, and install underground utilities.

San Diego County -- Grants were to the City of San Diego will fund improvements to seven boat launching facilities under its jurisdiction:

Barrett Reservoir -- A $480,000 grant to construct a new boat launching ramp and parking lot, install a prefabricated restroom, and add parking area lighting and utilities.

El Capitan Reservoir -- A $648,000 grant for improvements including widening the low-water boat launching ramp; installing two aluminum boarding floats, a barrier-free walkway, and two shade structures; and installing an aluminum boarding float, and a barrier-free restroom and a barrier-free walkway for personal watercraft users at Jetski Point.

Hodges Reservoir -- A $252,000 grant for improvements including the installation of two aluminum boarding floats at the low-water boat launching ramp, and one at the high-water ramp; replace the portable restrooms with two barrier-free prefabricated restrooms, and the construction of a barrier-free walkway.

Lower Otay Reservoir -- A $408,000 grant for improvements including repaving and restriping the south parking area; constructing a barrier-free walkway and a shade structure; and providing two aluminum boarding floats, landscaping, lighting and drainage.

Miramar Reservoir -- A $288,000 grant for improvements including replacing the existing restroom with a barrier-free restroom, and constructing a barrier-free walkway.

San Vicente Reservoir -- A $540,000 grant for improvements including two aluminum boarding floats for the boat launching ramp, and one for Lowell Island; repaving the boat staging parking area; providing a prefabricated restroom; constructing a barrier-free walkway, and a shade structure.

Sutherland Reservoir -- A $609,000 grant to construct a two-lane high-water boat launching ramp with two aluminum boarding floats; a high-water parking area with 100 vehicle/trailer spaces, lighting and utilities; a barrier-free walkway; and replace the portable restrooms with a barrier-free prefabricated restroom.

Department loans and grants require the consent of the Boating and Waterways Commission. The seven-member commission, appointed by the Governor, also advises the Department on matters within its jurisdiction. Funding for the projects is derived from the taxes paid by boaters on the purchase of gasoline for their vessels.

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GOVERNOR DAVIS APPOINTS TWO TO BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION

Governor Gray Davis today announced the appointments of Frederic A. Heim and Joseph P. Sharpe as members of the California Boating and Waterways Commission.

Frederic A. Heim, 74, of Encino, served as a member of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners from 1974 to 1987, during which time he served as President for seven terms. He was Commissioner of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power from 1977 to 1978. Mr. Heim co-founded five technology companies in the semi-conductor and computer field from 1955 to 1990, the most recent one, Computer Memories, Inc., a manufacturer of disc drives. He is also a retired veteran of the United States Navy. Mr. Heim earned a bachelor of science degree from Harvard College, and a master of business administration degree from Harvard Business School.

Joseph P. Sharpe, 72, of San Francisco, has 34 years of experience in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 648. He began working for the Union in 1967 as a Recording Secretary and rose to the office of President, to which he was elected in 1986 and continues to serve. Mr. Sharpe is a member of the South Beach Yacht Club and Boat U.S. As a member of the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors, he has been active in programs to introduce disabled youth to sailing.

The seven-member Commission advises the Department of Boating and Waterways on protecting significant natural resources, providing for public access to the waterways, and promoting recreational boating safety. Members do not receive a salary. These appointments require Senate confirmation.

$101,126,000 IN EXPENDITURES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS

Governor Gray Davis' has signed the 2001-2002 state budget, including $101,126,000 in expenditures for the Department of Boating and Waterways.

"Governor Davis' budget will fully fund our safety, education, law enforcement programs, and provide for safe and convenient access to California's waterways," said Director Ray Tsuneyoshi.

Boating and Waterways' proposed budget includes $19,686,000 for loans to public agencies to construct and improve marinas; $5 million to be made available for loans to private sector marina owners to construct and improve marinas; $25,923,000 for grants to public agencies to construct and improve boat launching facilities; $12,100,000 for capital outlay projects to construct and improve boating facilities on state lands; $8,100,000 in aid to local agencies for boating law enforcement; $620,000 for coastal beach erosion control; $750,000 for abandoned watercraft abatement grants; $6,081,000 in federal funds, for a variety of boating programs, including $3,153,000 for boating safety and education programs; $1,253,000 for vessel sewage pumpout grants, $875,000 for law enforcement, and $300,000 for boating trail projects for users of paddle craft.

Funding for DBW is derived primarily from boating gasoline taxes, vessel registration fees, and loan repayments.