Dana Point Boater Blast

We've been attending a ton of meetings lately as the date for the June Coastal Commission hearing draws near. Here are just a few of the things going on during the past few weeks:

South Coast Water District (SCWD) Directors

We've had a total of 5 separate meetings with 3 different directors, including a joint meeting with a SCWD director and OC DPH. Discussion topics: SCWD projects, the boat launch ramp and dry storage design.

Chip Monaco, Chief of Staff for Supervisor Pat Bates

Discussion topics: slip and dry storage rates, San Juan Creek boat storage, Dana Point Harbor Revitalization.

Parking Task Force

Discussion topic: boat launch ramp and dry storage design. We also have been dialoguing with Brad Gross offline on this and other topics, including slip and dry storage rates and slip remix.

Boater Focus Group

Discussion topics: slip configuration, slip size remix and channel width.

We've also been in dialogues with the City of Dana Point and the California Coastal Commission, plus we attended the 4/28 Board of Supervisors (OC BOS) Meeting to speak during the public comment period, thanking OC BOS for their decision not to increase DP boater rates, at least not at this time.

An aside, the CCC draft staff report is still not finished. (Forced staff reductions have hit them very hard.) Our latest conversation with Fernie Sy, CCC Long Beach staff, confirmed that they do have everything they need from us. We should add that the staff report MUST BE finished very soon in order for the June hearing to happen. We will of course let everyone know as soon as we receive this report. Please stay tuned.

Regarding the Boater Focus Group meeting, held last Wednesday night, there were attendees (including various harbor commercial tenants) who complained that the half dozen DPBA members and directors present were "outspoken", while they held different opinions on slip configuration and remix. We reminded them that the DPBA is 500 dues paying members strong and those boaters attending represented this constituency. Here is the position we espoused:

Limited remix, that is, increasing the number of slips in the 30 to 49' range, is appropriate. BUT a 80% reduction in the number of slips under 30' is excessive, VERY excessive. Further, this 80% figure has not changed significantly since the very first time that harbor plans were presented publicly more than two years ago. This despite repeated feedback!
30% of total slip inventory other than pickle forks, and no more, should be designed as double wide slips. However, this is desirable ONLY if these slips will be rented at a appropriately lower rate (about 9-10%). This will provide more affordable access for those boaters who need it. It will also provide badly needed slips for double wide boats (multi-hulls).
DPBA does not see benefit from eliminating the existing slip overhang. If slip overhang is eliminated however, it must be revenue neutral. In other words, no boater, present or future, should pay more rent than they would were the overhang rule to continue as is today.

We want and need your feedback on all these issues.

Further, we strongly urge all DPBA members to take 1 1/2 hours out every few weeks to attend these meetings. Do you have comments, concerns or questions? Need information? Want to attend? Call us at (949) 485-5656 or send us an email.