The Port of San Diego has been awarded a grant in the amount of $3,350,000 from the California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife, 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, 2016 regular meeting.
This is the second grant awarded to the port for this project. In November 2015, the California Division of Boating & Waterways presented the Port with a $6.1 million grant.
Both grants will help fund the estimated $9.5 million needed for 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 Shelter Island boat launch ramp is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California, with an estimated 50,000 launches annually.
When completed, the new launch facility basin will be 80 percent larger. The new entry/exit point will increase from 25 feet to 60 feet. Additionally, new walkways and public viewing platforms will be included, and a separate area for hand-launched watercraft will be added.
Currently the project is undergoing steps to obtain a Coastal Development Permit, Army Corps of Engineers Permit and State Water Board Permit.
The port expects to solicit construction bids for the project in the fall of 2016, with construction anticipated to begin in early 2017. Once a contract is finalized, the port will be able to provide specific information on the construction timeline and future closure impacts to the public.