Marina Harbor news

Despite an appeal by the Sierra Club, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for renovation of the San Francisco Marina, but the city is considering ways to address the Club's concerns.

The basis of our appeal was that the renovation would eliminate almost all of the slips for boats less than 25 feet long. This is an issue of fair access to the Bay for those of moderate means who own smaller boats than those owned by wealthier people. Our appeal also provided an opportunity for an appeal by supporters of the Bay Trail. The Bay Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle way generally circling the Bay providing people recreational access to the Bay.

On March 20 the Supervisors certified the EIR, and the Recreation and Park Department agreed to discuss adjustments to the renovation to accommodate the trail. On May 10 the Supervisors' City Operations and Neighborhood Services will hear a resolution to request that the Recreation and Park Department study the environmental and financial feasibility of dry storage for small boats. Dry storage is a good alternative for small boats because it generally costs half as much as storing a boat in a slip in the water. While boat storage would use public lands and low-interest state loans for construction, the boat-owners would pay all of the costs to maintain the facilities and repay the state loan with interest.

Howard Strassner