PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATED TO PLANNING A NEW FACILITY

• Belle Haven picnic area waterfront is too shallow.
• Expand the marina to the north with some dredging and open 500 to 600 slips making it economically feasible.
• Belle Haven Picnic Area is in the middle of a large mud flat and gets choked with hydrilla and millefoil in the summer and would require major dredging.
• In no case should any part of the Belle Haven Picnic Area be sacrificed to sun-baked asphalt and boat trailers.

• Use state and county parks as examples (Leesylvania & Pohick)
• A visitor center like the one at Huntley Meadows would be a nice facility for providing educational programs
• Barren Island Marina in Gateway National Recreation area in Brooklyn, NY is an example of a marina concession that works. Boat Storage

Boat Storage

• Eliminate wet slips on the west of the peninsula, as water is so shallow as to require dredging.
• Removal of dry storage will help clear congestion.
• Increase wet storage to accommodate the most number of boats.
• Refurbish existing 69 wet slips do not expand
• Area community associations passed bylaws banning the storage of boats.
• Increase parking by reducing dry storage at the entrance
• If the slips are eliminated there will be long lines for launching.
• The revamping of slips will provide increased boat storage and safety.
• Move dry storage to Fort Hunt.
• 12 trailer parking spaces or none at all.
• Keep Belle Haven as a sailing school only.
• Sailboat rental should be included.
• Consider installing 100-foot jetty along north side of boat ramp to stop siltation and provide a wind break.
• Do not remove motorized watercraft from the marina, there will be negative impacts on the concessioner.
• The scoping does not include preservation of the existing facility.
• There is a need for an accessible fishing dock.
• Provide environmental education programs at the marina.
• Provide access to river for physically impaired visitors.
• Create cartop launch at Riverside Park.
• Better parking and dock improvement is needed.
• Providing access to the river is meaningless without adequate trailer and vehicle parking.
• Parking for fishing, sailing, or recreational use should be separated from picnic area; do not enlarge the picnic area.
• Bring the existing facility into compliance with health and safety requirements and forgo any plans that would eliminate or enlarge the marina.
• Keep ramp to one lane.
• A marina needs good separation of motorized and non-motorized boat launching.
• Launching kayaks and other small boats is best when done from a natural sand beach or other surface that does not scratch the boat or paddles.
• Reasons to close a marina would be cost vs. benefit and dangerous conditions.
• Powerboats and non-motorized craft do not mix well in launch areas or on the water.
• What makes a facility a marina?