Recreational Boating: San Diego
San Diego: California Wildlife Conservation Board Awards Port $3.3 million for Boat Launch Improvements
The Port of San Diego has been awarded a grant in the amount of $3,350,000 by the California Wildlife Conservation Board for the Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility Improvement Project.
The award was officially accepted by the board of port commissioners at its March 8 meeting.
This is the second grant the port has received for this project. The first, for $6.1 million, was awarded in November 2015 by the California Division of Boating & Waterways. Together, the grants will finance most of the estimated $9.5 million cost of the project.
The project will improve the launch ramp’s basin by enlarging its maneuvering area, replacing the worn-out launch ramp, increasing the lengths of the boarding floats, providing a concrete drop-off area for kayaks, and bringing the restroom to current ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards.
"The Port of San Diego is grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Board for this very significant grant," said Port Commission Chairman Marshall Merrifield. "Making these improvements to the Shelter Island boat launch ramp is an absolute necessity. It is the most widely used launch ramp on San Diego Bay and is an essential component to the bay’s recreational activities."
Shelter Island is among busiest boat launch ramps in California, with an estimated 50,000 launches annually. Constructed in the mid-1950s with a single-lane concrete launch ramp, its last major improvement was completed in the mid-1970s when the existing 10-lane boat launching ramp was constructed. The recreational boating facility is used by small yachts, in- and out-board motorboats, private fishing boats, fishing tournament boats and amphibious tour buses.
The new launch facility basin will be 80 percent larger than the current facility. The new entry/exit point will increase from 25 feet to 60 feet. New walkways and public viewing platforms will be included, along with a separate area for hand-launched watercraft.
The port is now in process of obtaining Coastal Development, Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Board permits. It expects to solicit construction bids this fall and to begin construction in early 2017.
The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp, constructed in the 1950s, will soon be undergoing an improvement project that will increase its basin size, entry/exit points and make other enhancements.
Photo/Port of San Diego