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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007
marinas has improved greatly, as have the environmental impacts and
the aesthetics of these projects.” He looks back with satisfaction on the
department’s efforts to control the invasive water hyacinth plant in the
Delta, which have been successful since the 1980s in protecting these
waterways from massive infestations.
Bill also emphasized building and sustaining good relationships with
organizations throughout California that were interested in boating
issues, including the California Marine Parks and Harbor Association,
Marina Recreation Association, California Marine Affairs and
Navigation Conference, and Recreational Boaters of California. This
involved keeping boaters informed about current department policies
and programs. “The department has had a positive impact on public
attitudes,” says Bill. “This was especially true in 1970, when the Coastal
Commission came into being, and we placed additional emphasis
on the environmental aspects of our projects.” Cal Boating was also
able to forge long-term partnerships with local governments and
private enterprise. Instead of competing with private developers, Bill
points out that the department worked along with them to establish
additional access and harbor facilities, creating a win-win situation.
According to Bill, the biggest change at Cal Boating came about
in 1969 with the Governor’s Reorganization Plan. What was then
the Department of Harbors and Watercraft got a new name – the
Department of Navigation and Ocean Development – and broader,
new responsibilities. The agency acquired the functions of the
Department of Parks and Recreation and Office of Architecture and
Construction as they related to boating facility planning and design
in state recreation areas. Soon, Cal Boating also took on coastal beach
erosion control duties from the Department of Water Resources as well
as yacht and shipbroker licensing. “We now had more involvement in
coastal matters such as beach erosion,” explains Bill, “and we were able
1969
Department of Harbors
andWatercraft changes
its name to Department
of Navigation and Ocean
Development.
New legislation allows the
department to provide financial
aid to counties with a high
incidence of visitor boating, but
an insufficient tax base from
resident boaters to support
adequate boating safety and law
enforcement programs.
Cal Boating now provides
$10.6 million annually to 38
local agencies for on-the-water
safety and law enforcement
operations.