Marina Improvement Project FAQs

Q. Will I be parking farther away from my boat?

A. In most instances your parking will remain the same. If your boat is located on the cove side in the East Basin, your parking may change. Dedicated Boater Parking will be provided in the lower level of the parking deck. It is also proposed that when the docks are replaced, that the dock closest to the wharf will become visitor slips and dinghy docks, reducing the need for boater parking in that area. In addition, boater loading areas will be provided on the lower level of the parking deck to transport supplies and gear to your gangway.

Q. Why are you building a dry stack boat storage building?

A. The dry stack boat storage building will offer an additional option to boaters currently not available in the Harbor. Dry stack storage provides convenience and lower overall cost compared to slip rental. The covered storage also provides protection from the elements, decreasing maintenance costs for boaters.

Q. What is the status of the marina improvements?

A. The Dana Point Harbor Department has recently hired the consultant team to design and coordinate the permitting for waterside improvements, under our direction. Over the next several months, there will be many meetings with the boating community as well as the general public. Ultimately, we will develop a proposed slip mix and configuration for California Coastal Commission approval.

Q. What is the Dana Point Harbor Department proposing to do with the slips?

A. We will be replacing the old and deteriorating docks, slips and gangways with new facilities. In addition, we will be providing handicap access at some locations that is currently not available. At the same time, we will also reconfigure the docks to meet state design criteria, and changing demands and trends in boat construction. We are in the early planning stages of the waterside improvement project, so please stay tuned as we work through this process.

Q. What will be the size of the new slips and how will they differ from what we have today?

A. The boat slip wait list clearly shows a significant market demand for slips larger than +/- 30 ft. Approximately 60% of the slips in Dana Point Harbor are less than +/-30 ft in length. The current wait list-or demand for small slips in the Harbor-is comparatively low. In an effort to better meet current and future market demand, DPHD proposes to modify the existing mix of slip sizes. This does not mean providing slips larger than those that exist in the Harbor today, or removing all slips smaller than +/-30 ft, but rather increase the number of slips above +/-30 ft and decrease the slips smaller than +/-30 ft. We expect that some current slip renters may want to enter into the boat storage building for a variety of reasons. We also acknowledge that many current slip renters will want to retain their slips in the water. We believe that both can be accomplished. The Boat Storage Building includes a proposed maintenance area where boat owners can have their boat removed from the rack so they can perform routine maintenance work. The plan also includes the potential for an increased number of visitor slips.

Q. How many slips are we going to lose?

A. At the most, 545 slips can be reduced according to the requirements approved in the Environmental Impact Report. However, until an in-depth analysis and design study is complete, the exact number is yet to be determined and is anticipated to be less. Final approval will require Coastal Commission review.

Q. Will boaters be evicted from their slips to accommodate for the loss of slips?

A. The reduction in the number of slips will be accommodated by the current turnover in slips. The Harbor sees more than 30 slips vacated by tenants every month. As we get closer to losing slips due to reconstruction, those slips that are vacated will be offered to the general public, but only on a short term/temporary basis. We are currently working with our marine engineer to developing a strategy to address this issue.

Q. Why do we have to lose any slips; why don't we leave them as they currently are?

A. The docks are over 30 years old, have reached their life expectancy and are and in constant need of repair. Replacing them will provide a much better end result than simply continuing to patch them, and we must rebuild the docks according present day building codes and regulations. We are restricted to the boundaries of the Harbor. Within those boundaries, we can expect about a 10% loss of slips for state building standard changes alone. The current wait list in both east and west marinas shows 90% of the people waiting for a slip are for boats 30 feet in length or longer. The reconfiguration will attempt to respond to this public demand.

Q. Will you be removing all small slips from the water so only the larger boat slips will remain?

A. No, there will be a mix of small and larger slips in the water. DPHD is committed to keeping this a small boat harbor, as was decided over eight years ago by the Revitalization Task Force. In addition, the Harbor's design depth of 8-10 feet limits boat size. The new configuration will not eliminate or add slip sizes smaller or larger than what already exists in the Harbor. But, it will change the number of these slips in each size category.

Q. Will my boat be forced into the dry stack storage building?

A. No. The dry stack storage building will ultimately hold 400 boats of varying lengths. Those willing to reserve space in the buildings may do so providing they meet the storage requirements. The wet slips, which will be designed over the next several months, will accommodate those boaters who wish to remain in the water and meet the slip configurations.

Q. When will I have an opportunity to comment on the slip reconfiguration plan?

A. Although the CEQA process requires a certain amount of public involvement and review be built into any schedule, this Revitalization Plan is largely based on public input. Since the required public comment period typically happens towards the end of the planning process, we will be building into the schedule additional opportunities for boaters and Harbor visitors to comment on and provide input into the plan.

Q. When will my dock be replaced?

A. The process from planning to actual construction is expected to take 2-6 years, much of this depending on the California Coastal Commission schedule. The Coastal Commission has jurisdiction over all waterside projects, and will be issuing permits for any construction occurring in the water. During construction, we anticipate working on three docks at a time, depending upon temporary slip availability.

Q. Where will my boat be relocated during the dock replacement?

A. There will be temporary slips and storage locations to relocate boats as the new docks are being constructed.

Q. Will we have a shipyard?

A. Yes. The Harbor will always have a shipyard.

Q. What is the future plan for the shipyard?

A. The current shipyard lease boundary of 2.6 acres includes such uses as boat storage, jet ski rental and boat brokerage, which are not related to boat repair and maintenance. The proposed plan for the shipyard includes 1.6 acres devoted strictly to boat repair and maintenance, which allows room to expand the existing boat repair and maintenance operations. Future plans will also include water quality improvements currently not in place.

Q. How will the marina improvements be funded?

A. The California Department of Boating and Waterways has approved low interest loans to fund the waterside improvements in Dana Point Harbor.

Q. When will the Harbor be dredged?

A. Dana Point Harbor dredging project is scheduled to begin in late 2007. DPHD staff is currently completing the Sampling and Analysis Plan, which is required before another dredge can occur. The Department of Boating and Waterways recommends harbors be dredged about every six years. The Harbor was last dredged in 2000.

Q. Could you give me information about the boat launch renovation?

A. Renovation work began in early October 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2007. A new trench drain and water quality filter are being installed for improved water quality and three new boarding floats. The launch ramp will also be ADA accessible. A minimum of three boat launch lanes will remain in service at all times during construction.

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