Boaters Blast
Dana Point Boaters Association Newsletter
 
Monday, May 18th, 2009
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Logo as of 5-3-9
Greetings!

First, it's probably a good idea to comment as to the reasons we're sending so many Boat Blasts lately.  Simply put:

There's a lot going on right now of concern to Dana Point Boaters!

1. Given the current economic situation (ugh!) we must be extra vigilant to protect our boater resources!

The good news here is that due to the efforts of many, many boaters like us, it appears Sacramento apparently now has 2nd thoughts about eliminating Cal Boating, the Department of Boating and Waterways.  As you may have already heard, merger into the State Parks and Recreation Department has been dropped from the budget cuts short list.

Let's not forget either that in the last month, at least in major part as a result of hard work by The Dana Point Boaters Association, the case was made to OC DPH (frankly it didn't take as much nudging on our part as some might think) to forgo all Dana Point slip and dry storage fee hikes for the short term.  DPBA directors recently went to Santa Ana to attend the OC BOS meeting to publicly thank The Supervisors, especially Pat Bates, for their support.

2. Speaking of protecting boater resources, the California Coastal Commission hearing on the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan (aka Local Coastal Program Amendment, LCPA DPT-MAJ-1-080) is still tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 11th in Marina del Rey.

While we still do not have an official CCC Staff Report to share, we're advised that it is coming soon and the hearings will really, really happen this time.  We'll let you know as soon as we get the official word of course and also plan to post the report on the DPBA website.

3. There are new state regulations in public hearings right now that will have a huge potential impact on all SOCAL fisherman!  (See the next article.)

4. Beyond these three major initiatives, all critically important to Dana Point Boaters, there are lots of other things going on, like having fun at the upcoming Dana Point Boat In-Water Show.  That's coming up on May 28 - 31.  To get a $3 discount, print and save this image:

Boat Show $3 Off coupon

MLPA MEETING - TOMORROW - MAY 19th

Below is a really important message forwarded to DPBA by a Bloody Decks fishermen's blog reader earlier today:

Ok guys and gals, this meeting is the real thing and we need YOU here to voice YOUR opinion. As many of you know, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is coming to Southern California and it will affect where YOU fish. The next few months will be critical in shaping the protected areas and now is YOUR time to speak up.

A special meeting has been called on May 19th to allow for public comment to begin after dinner at around 7:00 PM in Santa Ana.  This is an opportunity for all those who work to attend and get their public comment presented to the Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG).  This is an important time to tell them where to put or not put Marine Protected Areas (MPA).  The RSG will spend the next two days (20th and 21st) in negotiations over where the RSG should "draw the lines".   Comment cards should be filled out and handed in before 7:00 PM as they may limit comments to only those cards received by that time.

The meeting location is:

Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana
201 East MacArthur Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(click here for map)

The most effective comments for this meeting are those expressing how closing or keeping an area open to fishing will affect you, your family, or friends economically or recreationally.  Please be courteous and remember most of the RSG members are volunteers trying to put together a map the law called for in 1999.

Please take a couple of minutes to learn more about the MLPA by reading this post: (click here)

In addition, a new forum has been created to keep you up to date at: (click here)

If you don't tell the them what is important to you, how will the RSG know???

THE DANA POINT BOATERS ASSOCIATION
ACTING WITH INTEGRITY AND ETHICS ALWAYS

About The Dana Point Boaters Association

DPBA is an education and advocacy group for the recreational boaters of Dana Point Harbor. Membership is very inexpensive and open to families interested in the many different kinds of recreational boating in Southern California, from kayaking and fishing to sailboat racing and motor cruising. 

Questions should be directed by email to Rodger Beard (Click Here), President.  Or call us at (949) 485-5656 and leave us a voice mail and we'll get back to you soon.