RBOC and our national advocacy partner BoatUS are supporting the comments of the local boating community as submitted by the Dana Point Boaters Association [DBPA] regarding the request by Dana Point Harbor Partners to amend the previously approved permit to authorize revisions to marina dock layouts within the Inner and Outer Basins of Dana Point Harbor.
This issue is before the California Coastal Commission. As noted in the Commission’s staff report on this June meeting agenda item, the enforcement division has opened an investigation into potential Coastal Act violations due to the absence of smaller slips for recreational boaters. An aberration from these permit requirements has a significant negative impact on lower-cost recreational boating opportunities.
In light of the Commission staff’s finding, an appropriate amendment should not only specify the actions to be taken but also the accompanying measures to verify that the redistribution of slips indeed enhances boating opportunities as originally intended with the permit, immediately after the amendment is approved and also on an ongoing basis.
RBOC supports the DBPA request that the Commission require additional documentation and verification before finding that the amendment is consistent with the Coastal Act and the Dana Point Harbor Local Coastal Program. The issue is on the Commission’s June 10 agenda.