General comments received from the Public

• Too few public launch areas.
• The Potomac is one of the finest river fisheries in the Nation.

• The marina is walking distance for a large number of people.
• It is the only facility for motor boats on Virginia side between National Airport (Gravelly Point) and Pohick Bay.
• Leesylvania is 20 miles south but there is no wet slip storage only a boat ramp.
• River access for non-motorized boats on the Virginia side of the Potomac, between National Airport and Mt. Vernon is limited.
• The distance to travel to another marina would require trailering a boat through rush hour traffic through Old Town to Roaches Run, this would impact Old Town residents.
• Boaters and renters would be displaced and move North causing more congestion on a narrower section of the river.
• Other boating options are overcrowded and too far away.
• It is the only sailing school in the area.
• Closing would require more fuel and time to travel to get to another marina and more fuel once on the water to get to local fishing spots.
• In a few years motor boat owners will be able to cross the Woodrow Wilson bridge to Port America.
• Belle Haven does not ice over in the winter unlike Gravelly Point.
• Access to public hunting areas (South of Woodrow Wilson Bridge) need motor boat launch.
• Only fire and rescue access to Potomac between 14th street bridge and Fort Belvoir. Belle Haven Marina
• There is affordable sailboat rental for those who can not afford to own a boat.
• There are affordable boat slips.
• Closing Belle Haven will put additional stress on other marinas in the area.
• Open land to public use fully, no motor boats and no limited space rentals.
• Belle Haven is the only facility that combines sail, power, canoe and kayak with a sailing school and boat rental operation in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Jet skis should be prohibited from use in the Belle Haven and Dyke Marsh area.
• No wake region within the marsh area to reduce wave impact.
• Boats must be winched on to trailers, not driven, to mitigate noise and reduce environmental impacts.
• There are motorboat impacts on Dyke Marsh.
• There is illegal use of boats within Dyke Marsh.
• No motorized boats should be allowed in the Dyke Marsh Preserve and this rule should be strictly enforced.
• Many "Notice" signs marking the boundary of Dyke Marsh have been removed.
• Close Belle Haven Marina and convert the acreage to Dyke Marsh.
• Dry storage conserves dock space and protects the boats from fouling the water and protects the environment from fuel leaking.
• Maintaining access to the marsh by boat is essential for monitoring wildlife.
• Need to clarify Dyke Marsh legislation vs. GWMP legislation.
• Provide environmental education programs at the marina, teach respect for nature and the need to protect the resources at Dyke Marsh.