The proposed project (project) in dana point harbor, california (see attachment a: project location, map 1) will rehabilitate the deteriorating orange county sailing and events center (ocsec) floating…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $4,293,587 Formula Grant under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The grant will be used to rehabilitate the deteriorating Orange County Sailing and Events Center (OCSEC) floating docks and improve dock facilities to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements at Dana Point Harbor in California.

The project will reconstruct a westside floating dock for launching non-motorized watercraft and hosting educational water recreation classes, as well as two eastside floating docks for motorized and non-motorized boat access. These improvements will enhance facility safety and create ADA accessibility to water-based recreational activities, providing new levels of boating access regardless of physical limitations. CDFW is contributing a $1,073,397 match, which is 25% of the total project cost. The grant period runs from September 15, 2024 to December 31, 2026.

The proposed project (project) in dana point harbor, california (see attachment a: project location, map 1) will rehabilitate the deteriorating orange county sailing and events center (ocsec) floating docks and improve dock facilities to comply with americans with disabilities act (ADA) access requirements. The waterfront infrastructure hosts a wide range of community boating programs, including sailing clinics, classes, and camps outrigger canoe clubs tours and classes in kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding and instruction in other waterbased recreational activities. Constructed 40 years ago, these facilities are in dire need of replacement and have reached the end of their useful life, posing potential safety risks. The usage of the docks has steadily increased beyond what was originally estimated, and ADA accessibility requirements were not established until 1991. Without improvements, these docks cannot be safely used by all, so the ocsec floating docks must be rehabilitated. Orange county parks (OC parks) requests S3,220,190 in california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) boating access grant program funds to help offset the cost of reconstructing 1) a westside floating dock used for launching non-motorized watercraft and hosting educational water recreation classes and 2) two eastside floating docks used for motorized and non-motorized boat access (see attachment a map 2 3). The improvements will enhance facility safety and create ADA accessibility-literally and figuratively bridging all residents and visitors to water-based recreational activities and providing new levels of boating access regardless of physical limitations. The total project cost is S4,293,587 of which OC parks is contributing a S1,073,397 match at 25% of the project cost. The proposed upgrades are a key part of the ocsec facilities operation and maintenance plan-a main component of the overall dana point harbor revitalization master plan. The master plan is a phased harbor improvement program. The bulk of the marina is under construction as part of a public-private partnership under a long- term lease to the dana point harbor partners (dphp), LLC., which is separately funded from the proposed project. The ocsec facilities are a priority due to their essential provision of public access to water and recreational opportunities. Dana point harbor s construction began in the late 1960S, and IT was officially dedicated in 1971. In 1977, the ocsec land was set aside for recreation, and the ocsec was developed with a tideland grant in 1983. The dana point harbor youth and group activities consortium was formed to coordinate site activities and advise the county on operations. OC parks operates and manages the ocsec and negotiates short-term license agreements for all activities.