| "The challenge for DEP was preserving the water-dependent use of the property." | |
| Rick Huntley, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection |
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Coastal resource managers are always looking for creative ways to maintain or enhance the public's access to our nation's shores and beaches. A recent cooperative project between state agencies in Connecticut resulted in the creation of the state's largest public boat launch.
"This is a good example of two state agencies with different missions working together to benefit the public," says Rick Huntley, supervising environmental analyst with Connecticut's Department of Environmental Protection. "The public's reaction has been very positive."
The glowing reviews of the Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch and Fishing Pier in Old Saybrook haven't just been coming from the people using the facility. The joint undertaking between Connecticut's Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Transportation (DOT) recently received an "Outstanding Project Award" from the States Organization for Boating Access, a national organization of state officials responsible for developing and promoting boating access.
The boat launch, which was built as part of a DOT bridge construction project, is located on the Connecticut River and provides direct access to Long Island Sound. It features a four lane launch ramp to accommodate trailered boats, a one car top launch for canoes and kayaks, and eight floating docks to aid in the launching and retrieval of boats. A fishing pier extends 450 feet into the river, and there is parking for more than 100 cars and trailers.
"It's big," says R. Michael Payton, supervisor for DEP's Navigational Safety/Boating Access Unit. "One of the reasons it won the award was the direct public access it provides to Long Island Sound. It provides easy access, is easy to find, is well designed, and has lots of parking and amenities. It's an aesthetically pleasing addition to a bridge project."
Huntley says the boat launch "came about as a result of our permitting process." The DOT was replacing the bridge over the Connecticut River, and had plans to construct the new bridge south of the existing structure. A result of moving the bridge's location was that DOT acquired a marina, which was to be removed. "The challenge for DEP was preserving the water-dependent use of the property. A way to meet that requirement was a major expansion of an existing boat launch ramp and facilities." To mitigate the loss of public access, DOT agreed to construct the boat launch and worked with DEP engineers to design the facility.
Payton says while there were some logistics issues, the two agencies worked well with each other, and that communication was the key. "It's important to have already established communication with other departments. This project has opened up a lot of opportunities with other state agencies to develop public access projects."
Huntley agrees that communication between the departments was important and says the project has become a model for the DEP. "We use the process developed in this instance whenever DOT is doing infrastructure projects along the coast. This is a very good example of how we can work cooperatively with other departments in state government."
For more information about the Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch and Fishing Pier, contact Rick Huntley at (860) 424-3034, or e-mail him at rick.huntley@po.state.ct.us. You may also contact R. Michael Payton at (860) 434-8638.
