DBW-50thAnnBook-PROOF

CAL I FORNIA DEPARTMENT OF BOATING & WATERWAYS

L E T T E R F R OM T HE D I R E C TOR

Welcome to Our 50th Anniversary Publication!

For decades, California’s reputation as a boater’s paradise with an abundance of water recreational opportunities has lured millions of visitors to the Golden State and increased the desire of many residents to enjoy the water. For the past 50 years, the Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) has improved and safeguarded the boating experience for all users – from Mission Bay in San Diego to the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe and along every lake, river and stream in between. Long before Cal Boating was established, the growing popularity of recreational boating revealed a pressing need for state government to address boating safety issues and provide facilities for the boating public. By 1957, national retail sales of boats had approached $2 million, nearly tripling the amount from the beginning of the decade. In the same time period, outboard motor sales had expanded by 250 percent. The growing boating community began to rally for creation of coastal “harbors of refuge,” which grew out of the boaters’ need for a safe haven to berth their boats on the coast during storms and inclement weather. In the 1950s, California boat owners could obtain a rebate on the gasoline taxes used to propel their vessels. But boaters saw an advantage in putting their gasoline tax dollars to use collectively rather than receiving individual rebates. The idea of having a special fund and a state boating agency to implement a safe harbors program began to take shape. Finally, in the late 1950s, boaters were successful in introducing legislation that established the Division of Small Craft Harbors within the Department of Natural Resources, along with a five-member Small Craft Harbors Commission.

Raynor Tsuneyoshi Director Department of Boating and Waterways

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

The new law, signed by Governor Goodwin J. Knight, became effective on September 11, 1957, and allowed the new division to make loans to cities, counties and districts for the planning and construction of small craft harbors. Over time, the Division of Small Craft Harbors was renamed the Department of Boating and Waterways, which came to be known as Cal Boating. And for half a century, Cal Boating has been dedicated to serving the boating community by improving boater access and enhancing safety on California’s vast waterways. I would like to thank the many current, former and retired Cal Boating employees who dedicated their careers toward creating an efficient, responsive and service-oriented department. Because of our employees, Cal Boating has established a well-deserved reputation as an excellent agency with which to do business. Through a significant financial commitment and a wide array of programs and services, we hope to sustain our accomplishments for many years to come.

Raynor Tsuneyoshi Director Department of Boating and Waterways

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

T A B L E OF CON T E N T S

Recalling a Rich History   1 Division Chiefs, Directors and Governors . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4 Making a Difference for Boaters   7 Developing Quality Programs 13 Taking Ideas to Completion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Expanding Safety and Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Breaking Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Providing Funds to Improve the Boating Experience 37 Enhancing Public Safety on the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Protecting the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Cal Boating 2007 Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Small Craft Harbors Act 54

50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

“Small boating has caught on like wildfire!” Governor Goodwin J. Knight, October 14, 1957, addressing the first meeting of the Small Craft Harbors Commission in the Governor’s Council Chambers, Sacramento, California.

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r e c a l l i n g a r i c h h i s t o r y

Boating Growth and Funding Following World War II, recreational boating proved to be one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in California. By the end of the 1950s, California was home to more than 125,000 registered boats. Today, that number is nearing the one million mark.

Number of Registered Boats

California Population 15,860,000 20,220,000 23,511,000 29,760,021 34,480,000 37,172,015 37,662,518

Number of Boats/1000

Year

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006 2007

177,800 420,800 556,000 795,335 904,843 893,828 964,881

11.2 20.7 23.6 26.7 26.2 24.0 25.6

In order to serve those boaters, Cal Boating provides funding for the development of small craft harbors and boat launching facilities, boating safety and educational efforts, law enforcement financial aid, aquatic weed control in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and a host of environmental programs that make California’s waters cleaner. Cal Boating is funded by the boating community, for the boating community. The department’s programs are paid by boat gasoline taxes, vessel registration fees, the repayment of small craft harbor construction loans, and federal funds. All of these revenues are placed into the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, which is used to fund Cal Boating’s budget each year.

Boating and Waterways Commission The Boating and Waterways Commission, a seven-person body

appointed by the Governor, advises Cal Boating on all matters within its jurisdiction and approves all loans and grants made by Cal Boating for construction of small craft harbors and boat launching facilities. Commission meetings are traditionally held bimonthly or as needed and are open to the public. Commission activities allow for public oversight into departmental decisions, promote transparency and encourage public input.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

To date, 61 individuals have served on the Commission. One member of the Commission is required to be a private small craft harbor owner and operator; one member must belong to a recognized statewide organization representing recreational boaters; and one member must be an officer or employee of a local law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing boating laws. The director of Cal Boating serves as secretary of the Commission. The inaugural Small Craft Harbors Commission held its first meeting on October 14, 1957, and consisted of five members:

Chairman Joseph A. Beek (Balboa) Vice Chairman Nathan L. Fairbairn (San Francisco) John P. Scripps (San Diego)

Malio J. Stagnaro (Santa Cruz) C.P. Von Herzen (Los Angeles)

2007 “50th Anniversary” Boating and Waterways Commission:

Warren E. Rupf , Vice Chair Martinez

Lenora S. Clark, Chair Discovery Bay

Robert Y. Nagata Los Angeles

H.P. “Sandy” Purdon San Diego

Edward C. Reno III Irvine

Douglas W. Metz Coronado

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

The first meetings of the Small Craft Harbors Commission were held in October 1957 and January 1958.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

DI V I SION CHI EFS , DIR ECTOR S A ND GOV ER NOR S : 1957 – PR ESENT

Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Governor, 1959–1967

RonaldWilson Reagan Governor, 1967–1975

Goodwin J. Knight Governor, 1953–1959

Photo not available

James Dunham Division Chief 1959–1960

Lachlan Richards Division Chief/Director 1960–1967

H.G. Stevens Division Chief 1957–1959

Ned Sprow Director 1967–1968

Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr. Governor, 1975–1983

Frank Torkelson Interim Director 1974–1975

Marty Mercado Director 1975–1982

Robert Walker Director 1968–1971

John Bennett Director 1971–1974

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

George Deukmejian Governor, 1983–1991

Pete Wilson Governor, 1991–1999

Bill Satow Interim Director 1992

John Banuelos Director 1992–1996

Frank Torkelson Interim Director 1982–1983

William Ivers Director 1983–1992

Joseph Graham “Gray”Davis, Jr. Governor, 1999–2003

Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor, 2003–present

Ron Del Principe Director 1996–1997

Charles Raysbrook Director 1997–1998

Carl Moore Interim Director 1998–2001

Raynor Tsuneyoshi Director 2001–present

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

SUN HARBOR MARINA On June 23, 2006, Sun Harbor Marina in San Diego, became the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Marina in the world. The LEED certification process is a leading-edge system for designing, constructing and certifying the world’s

greenest buildings. By incorporating green principles throughout the entire project, Sun Harbor Marina has created a prototype for marinas around the world. Cal Boating provided a $3.1 million loan for marina improvements that aided in obtaining LEED certification.

M A K I NG A D I F F E R E NC E F OR B OA T E R S

Bill Curry is a civil engineer who worked for Cal Boating for 35 years and then retired – for all of three weeks! Since 2002, Bill has served as a retired annuitant, working two days a week. His primary areas of responsibility have been boat launching facility grants and marina loans. The department has made grants to cities, counties, districts, and federal agencies since the early 1960s. Cal Boating has funded more than 400 of these facilities in the past 50 years, creating increased public access to coastal water ways, inland lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. The department has also made loans available to public agencies for marinas since 1957. “We’ve provided the financial assistance to help make the building of many public boat launching facilities and marinas possible,” explains Bill. Cal Boating is involved from the “nuts and bolts” of the facility planning stage to working with designers and contractors, right through to the ribbon cutting ceremony. Recipients of both the grant and loan funds enter into long-term contracts to operate and maintain the projects. Bill has watched the successful process unfold many times. The City of Petaluma Boat Launching Facility was the first grant project that Bill worked on for Cal Boating, back in 1968-1969, and he loves his job as much as ever today. “It’s really a treat to be able to play Santa Claus,” he says.

Bill Curry Civil Engineer and Supervising Civil Engineer, 1968–2002 Retired Annuitant, 2002–present

1957

California’s boating community, desiring a state boating agency and development of “harbors and refuge” for coastal safety, successfully helps pass legislation establishing “Division of Small Craft Harbors” in Department of Natural Resources.

New law also establishes Small Craft Harbors Commission and allows division to make loans to cities, counties and districts for planning and constructing small craft harbors. The legislation, signed by Governor Goodwin J. Knight, becomes effective September 11, 1957!

First small craft harbor loan is provided to Los Angeles County for infrastructure development of Marina del Rey, which becomes the largest man-made recreational harbor in the world.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Indeed, public service has been a key theme in Bill’s career, complementing Cal Boating’s philosophy of helping to enhance the experience of California boaters. In 1972, Bill became involved in the “S.S. Relief ” Floating Restroom Program, under which Cal Boating has helped fund the installation of more than 200 floating restrooms on state lakes and reservoirs. Bill was one of three department employees who began to “float” the idea of a floating privy. The “environmentally green” restroom facilities, part of the local assistance grant program, are extremely popular. Bill has also played a significant national role in recreational boating facility accessibility and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibilities Guidelines (ADAAG). As originally published in 1991, ADAAG lacked provisions that addressed boating facilities. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB, or Access Board), the agency responsible for developing federal accessibility criteria, needed information with which to write recreational accessibility guidelines. Along with two colleagues from Oregon and New York, Bill helped the Access Board staff draft and critique these guidelines as they were developed for publication in 2002. In 2004, ADAAG was modified and merged with another guidelines document, resulting in the ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines that are currently under review by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). When approved and published, the guidelines will become federal rules enforceable by DOJ and will have an important bearing on accessibility for public and privately owned boat launch ramps, fishing piers, marinas, and courtesy docks. The new rules will apply to all elements of recreational boating facilities that are part of an accessible route, including details for parking, restrooms, slopes, dimensions, gangways, docks, boat slips, handrails, curbs, safety rails, and signage.

Cal Boating Leads the Way: Sub-Metering of Marinas

The installation and use of kilowatt hour sub-meters in marinas has a dramatic impact on electrical power consumption. A field study initiated by Cal Boating employee Bill Curry showed that sub-meters would reduce power consumption by nearly 50 percent. The 1995 study, entitled Report on Documented Field Study of Actual Electrical Power Use in California Small Craft Harbors , was funded by Cal Boating and conducted by ADCO Electric, Inc. of Santa Cruz. By lowering power consumption, sub- metering becomes a significant method for the conservation of energy, thus reducing carbon footprints. Typically, an existing non-sub-metered marina will realize a 60 percent to 70 percent reduction in annual electrical utility costs after sub-meters are installed.

1958

Through 2007, Cal Boating has provided over $381 million in planning and construction loans to local agencies for development of small craft harbors, resulting in enhanced public access and urban revitalization.

H.G. Stevens, first division chief, is paid a salary of $1,050 per month.

Original consumer protection program for licensing of yacht brokers and salespeople is passed into law.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

“My involvement with the ADA process gave me another avenue in which to serve boaters with disabilities who have significant access needs,” notes Bill, “and to see other areas where Cal Boating needed to go beyond the minimum requirements.” Along with other Cal Boating staff, Bill has spearheaded several projects to increase the ease with which the elderly and those with special challenges can access their boats, including installation of dock steps to accommodate different boat heights. He has also had a hand in designing marina handrails and wider floats at boat launching ramps to prevent older people and those with disabilities from falling. Looking for ways to help people who may have difficulty going to and from their boats reflects an attitude shift at Cal Boating that Bill finds very gratifying. “These types of changes are becoming the fabric of our viewpoint,” says Bill. Throughout his career, Bill has met and talked with boaters from all over the state. “I’ve been in every nook and cranny where there is water in California,” he explains, “and being able to travel is one of the main things I have loved about my work.” Bill also established a reputation for being a virtual information “clearing house” – everything from boating maintenance problems to facility design questions. Planners and engineers from around the country often call Bill to get advice and provide feedback, which he has used in writing various Cal Boating technical materials. Bill’s most important and recognized work is his Layout and Design Guidelines for Marina Berthing Facilities , completely revised in July 2005. This document, posted on Cal Boating’s Web site, is used by planners, architects, engineers, contractors, and marina operators throughout the United States. Bill was also very involved with the States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA), developing handbooks for the design, construction and maintenance of boat launching facilities in all 50 states and five territories. He is currently revising

Cal Boating Builds First State Windmill in 50 Years!

In 1974, Cal Boating employee Bill Curry spearheaded an effort to provide a windmill at Goose Flat, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The windmill would supply potable water for a future recreational boat-in site on the shoreline. Bill needed to find a contractor who could do the work for the $5,000 budget Cal Boating had available. He hired a geotech engineer (for $160) from a local soils engineering company to do a seismic “shot” to determine the most likely spot to drill the well. The job was contracted with a company from Auburn, California for $4,990 – just $10 under the maximum for negotiated contracts. He then located a windmill rotor head, fan, tail assembly, and related hardware through a firm in Argentina. The project specs called for a minimum water flow of not less than two gallons per minute when the wind was blowing at 15 mph or above. The well came in at 12.5 gallons per minute, and the windmill worked perfectly, pumping water uphill to a 1,000-gallon storage tank from which the water would flow by gravity feed to the boat-in site. The storage tank, which was originally (continued page 14)

1960

By 2007, there were 450 brokers and 750

First comprehensive boating safety laws for vessel operation and equipment requirements are enacted in California, based on federal Boating Act of 1958.

Through 2007, Cal Boating has provided $185 million in grants to public agencies for new and improved launching facilities for trailerable boaters. From special funding, division provides first “local assistance” boat launching facility grants for Eagle Lake (Lassen County) and Mono Lake (Mono County).

salespeople licensed by Cal Boating’s four-person yacht broker unit.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Cal Boating’s Boat Launching Facility Guidelines . These types of efforts have helped California lead the nation in developing high-quality public access projects. Ironically, Bill has never owned a boat himself. His weekends were always filled with family, travel, gardening, and his work as a volunteer chaplain at Folsom State Prison. But Bill still looks back on his long career at Cal Boating with fondness and a sense of accomplishment. “The real ‘gold nugget’ of working for Cal Boating was having supervisors like Bill Satow and Don Waltz, who held my feet to the fire, but gave me the freedom to do my job with initiative and creativity,” says Bill. “It has been a real privilege to serve the boaters and residents of California.”

(continued from page 13) made of heart redwood, worked

very well. However, after a few years, woodpeckers badly damaged the tank by pecking large holes in the redwood to store nuts and other food. So Cal Boating replaced the wooden tank with one made of steel. The windmill at Goose Flat turned out to be the first one installed and used by the state in over 50 years. This small venture received national attention in the news media and exemplifies Cal Boating’s long-term commitment to developing practical, cost-effective projects that have a low impact on the environment, work well over time, and serve the various needs of California’s recreational boaters.

First Department Logo, 1961–1966

1961 Legislation permits Commission to grant

1966

Division of Small Craft Harbors relocates to within Department of Parks and Recreation.

Responsibility of registering vessels shifts from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to Division of Small Craft Harbors.

The division becomes a department! Division of Small Craft Harbors is now Department of Harbors andWatercraft; Small Craft Harbors Commission becomes Harbors and Watercraft Commission.

funds to a “county, city or district for the construction of small craft launching facilities.”

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

“Looking for ways to help people who may have difficulty going to and from their boats reflects an attitude shift at Cal Boating. These types of changes are becoming the fabric of our viewpoint.” — Bill Curry

Contractor directs four bulldozers pushing 260,000 pounds of concrete for Cal Boating’s largest-ever “push-slab” project at the Lake Natoma Negro Bar boat launching facility improvement project in 2007.

Cal Boating Staff. Front row (left to right): Mike Ammon, Nouae Vue, Raynor Tsuneyoshi (Director), Greg Imura and Rudy Oineza. Back row (left to right): Julian Bustillos, Ken Newby, Bill Curry and Karl Rose. Taken at the Lake Natoma Negro Bar boat launching facility before the push slab operation.

DE V E L OP I NG QUA L I T Y P R O GR A M S

Bill Satow has certainly seen a lot of changes during his 25 years with Cal Boating. This long-time public servant has been around water agencies his entire career, starting out at the California Department of Water Resources, where Bill worked for eight years as an economist. In 1967, Bill transferred to Cal Boating, largely because it was a smaller department, and he liked the idea of working with a close knit group of people. He conducted feasibility studies on many Cal Boating projects, including marina loans, harbor developments and boat launching facilities, looking into both the financial and economic benefits and justification for each one. Under the guidance of outstanding directors and commissioners, Bill had a wide variety of responsibilities at Cal Boating during his tenure as the department’s economist, boating facilities division chief and assistant director, and later as acting director. His biggest challenges came from working through the legislative process to get projects approved for funding and construction. “I took pride in the standardization of project design and guidelines for construction that were formulated while I was at Cal Boating,” notes Bill. “The quality of construction at boat launch facilities and

Bill Satow Department Economist, 1967–1969 Boating Facility Division Chief, 1969–1983 Assistant Director, 1983–1991 Acting Director, 1992

...1966

Department obtains authority to construct “capital outlay” boating facilities on state-owned or controlled land, including all boating facilities within the California State Parks system and on the State Water Project. Boating facilities at Lake Oroville, Folsom Lake, Del Valle Reservoir, San Luis Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, Perris Lake, Lake Tahoe, and other areas will be built with Cal Boating funds.

Through 2007, Cal Boating has provided $88.5 million for public access boating facilities in state parks, on lakes of the State Water Project and other state lands.

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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.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on larger projects for the first time.” Bill believes that Cal Boating has demonstrated that a relatively small group of people can do meaningful and vital work at the state level. “We earned a reputation for doing useful work, for being responsive to the boating public, and for getting things done on a timely basis,” says Bill. That dedication to responsiveness provided the basic philosophy which ensured the department’s overall success with the public.

Aquatic weed unit staff treat water hyacinth in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In 1982, state legislation designated Cal Boating as the lead agency for the control of water hyacinth in the Delta. The plant, deceptively attractive and originally from Brazil, was discovered in the Delta over 100 years ago. It grows faster than any other known plant and can double in size every 10 days during hot weather conditions. Cal Boating operates an extensive water quality monitoring program along with programs that are studying alternatives to control the plant non-chemically. Left unchecked, water hyacinth can negatively impact navigation, commerce, marinas, and agricultural water pumping.

Early 1970s

Department becomes lead agency for coastal beach erosion control, with duties transferred from the Department of Water Resources.

Vessel registration responsibilities are transferred back to DMV.

Michael Landon (Little Joe) and Dan Blocker (Hoss) from the TV show“Bonanza” visit Cal Boating to discuss project: an inflatable fabric and rubber tube that could be filled with sand and used as a temporary groin and breakwater for beach protection.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Scotts Flat boat launching facility in Nevada County was funded by Cal Boating. About 85 percent of California boaters trailer their vessels to a variety of scenic destinations.

“Cal Boating had very knowledgeable employees, and we tried to be as helpful to boaters as we could,” says Bill. “I think people appreciated that.” Bill has kept busy since he retired in 1992, spending time with his family and in his garden. He has never actually been a boater, although he enjoys fishing from a boat, but Bill maintains his heart was always with the boaters. He still thinks Cal Boating’s success and positive image comes from its commitment to serve California’s boating public. And he still speaks fondly of his colleagues at the department. “If I had to design a work program, I could not have created a better one than Cal Boating,” says Bill. “It was a terrific place to work, with wonderful people dedicated to the cause of boating safety and public access.”

Second Department Logo, 1966–1969

Third Department Logo, 1969–1978

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma was funded by Cal Boating. Boating Instructional Safety Centers provide access, safety and instruction in watersports that promote fitness and exercise for people of all ages.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

“Boating is a huge part of life in California – we have about 4 million recreational boaters in our state.” — Mike Ammon

T A K I NG I DE A S TO COM P L E T I ON

Mike Ammon is another long-time Cal Boating employee who just could not stay away after he quit working. Although he officially retired in July 2007 after 33 years with Cal Boating, Mike continues to work one day a week as a retired annuitant in his favorite area, Boating Trails, where he is involved in improving public access for car-top vessels such as canoes, kayaks, rafts, and sailboards. Prior to joining Cal Boating, Mike graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree in social science and served five years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He began his long stint at Cal Boating in 1974, working on boating safety issues. A high incidence of white water accidents at this time had prompted Cal Boating to concentrate on this problem. Boating safety and education played a large role in shaping Mike’s career, and he was instrumental in developing the school safety equipment program. “Cal Boating supplied equipment grants for canoes and sailboats for the basic boating safety classes at many of the state’s college campuses,” explains Mike, “and in return, the schools were responsible for running boating safety programs.” Sacramento State, Cal State Northridge, and several University of California campuses, including Berkeley and Irvine, participated in the program.

Mike Ammon Program Analyst/Contract Administrator, 1974–2007 Retired Annuitant, 2007–present

1974 Popularity of non-motorized boating continues to grow.

1976

Department publishes first classroom and “home study” boating education course in the nation! “Adventure Afloat Program” is printed in both student and instructor editions and made available to high schools and the public. With modifications, other states begin to use California’s course for their programs.

Since 1974, Cal Boating has worked with local river managers to fund development of many river access sites and to publish safety and access river trail maps.

Boating Trails Act gives department authority to pursue activities to increase opportunities for canoeists, kayakers and rafters on designated waterways.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Mike also worked on safety education programs for Cal Boating, including the Home Study Course. “Boating home study courses were invented right here,” says Mike. The original course, The Adventure Afloat Program, was geared for high school students and included an instructor’s version. Later, home study materials were made available to the public and even sold by Cal Boating for $2.00. With modifications, other states began to use California’s course for their own boating programs. The idea developed by the department more than 30 years ago is now used by all states, and Cal Boating provides 35,000 copies of its “California Boating: A Course for Safe Boating” to boaters each year. Mike’s efforts on the 1986 Boating Safety Report complemented his other education projects and are among the accomplishments of which he is most proud. “This report helped justify the alcohol level law that was later passed by the California Legislature, which gave law enforcement officers the tools to fight drunk boating,” notes Mike. “Before the legislation, it was really the ‘Wild West’ out there on the water.” Mike’s successful development of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center as well as three California river projects has been recognized with awards from the States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA). He is also worked on a number of Cal Boating programs: accident reporting, law enforcement officer training, and facilities project management. But his heart lies in boating trails. “I’ve been an active kayaker on all the state’s rivers,” says Mike, “and I saw the need to improve public access in various locations.” When state bond funds did not come through to support some of his boating trails access projects, Mike sought some of the federal money administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. “Each state is entitled to a share of these federal funds based on its number of registered boaters,” explains Mike, “so we tapped into this source for California.”

Boating Instruction Safety Center

The Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma, operated by Sacramento State University, grew from an idea that Cal Boating employee Mike Ammon had more than 30 years ago: to build an aquatic education facility that would provide in-the-water and in-the- classroom boating safety classes. In 1981, Mike discovered that waterfront land controlled by the California Department of Parks and Recreation was available at Lake Natoma. State Parks was going to use an old paint center on the site for storage, but Cal Boating and CSU Sacramento had another idea. Starting out with just a few 40-foot storage containers and the purchase of kayaks, sailboats and canoes, the Aquatic Center took off and slowly began to grow. Recently, Cal Boating provided $3,850,000 in capital outlay funds to create and improve this boating instruction and safety center, which is modeled after the Mission Bay Aquatic Center in San Diego. The new Aquatic Center, completed in 2005, has evolved to a top-notch facility with 10,000 boaters and members of the public participating each year. (continued page 25)

...1976

The boating education course developed by Cal Boating 31 years ago (first edition shown at right), is now used in all states. Cal Boating provides 35,000 copies of “California Boating: A Course for Safe Boating” to boaters each year.

Department sponsors legislation to provide grants to public agencies for construction of floating restrooms, thus lessening environmental degradation. “S.S. Relief” begins its voyage!

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

Mike has thrived during his years at Cal Boating, in large part because he enjoys the variety of tasks and the ability to see important projects through to completion. “I found it very rewarding to formulate an idea, have the opportunity to see it implemented, and then start up the project,” he explains. As a boating enthusiast—Mike has owned a ski boat and regularly goes canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing—he has been in his element. “I really like working in a natural area that I routinely enjoy,” says Mike. “I’ve been able to use my hobby in my work, and I never got tired of the job.” Mike is developing boating trail guides for California’s rivers that contain maps and descriptions of dangerous shoreline or areas where boaters need to be mindful of private property. These informational guides are posted on the department’s Web site. In recognition of his work at Cal Boating, Mike received a Life Time Achievement Award from SOBA at the organization’s October 2007 conference. Mike’s current projects reflect his belief that providing boating safety, improving public access, and helping to develop effective boating laws remain in Cal Boating’s top priorities. “Boating is a huge part of life in California – we have about four million recreational boaters in our state,” notes Mike. “Cal Boating plays a critical role in covering the basics in the process for all three of these areas: safety, access and the law.”

(continued from page 24) The center offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, rowing, personal watercraft safety, and basic power boating classes. It also hosts youth summer programs, boating law enforcement officer training classes (with Cal Boating), and national rowing events. For his efforts in developing the Aquatic Center, Mike was honored in 2006 with the Outstanding Project Award/ Midsize Access Category from SOBA, which annually recognizes individuals and agencies nationwide that have made significant contributions to advancing public boating access programs. Mike’s work was cited for innovation in design and construction, economic benefit, safety, and accessibility. An avid kayaker himself, Mike recognized the value of having such a center from the outset, and his hard work over the past 20 years has seen a wonderful idea culminate into a beautiful and popular facility. Legislation requires Cal Boating to provide aquatic safety materials to public elementary schools. “Play It Safe” for grades K-2 and “Wet N Safe” for grades 4-6 reflect department’s philosophy: learning aquatic safety skills early will protect students throughout their lives. Mike received a Life Time Achievement Award from SOBA at the organization’s October 2007 conference.

1979

1982 Cal Boating receives authority to control

1983

Department of Navigation and

Ocean Development becomes Department of Boating and Waterways to better reflect the agency’s mission and activities.

water hyacinth (world’s fastest growing plant) in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Hyacinth originally discovered in Clarksburg, Yolo County, in 1904.

Fourth Department Logo, 1979–1987

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

“Cal Boating’s ethic is to provide the very best service to California boaters. That has been our mission for 50 years, and for 50 years we’ve succeeded.” — Dolores Farrell

E X PA ND I NG S A F E T Y A ND E DUC A T I ON P R O GR A M S

Dolores Farrell came to work at Cal Boating in May 1993 as a manager in the Operations Division. She brought with her a wealth of experience and expertise from her job at the Department of Justice Crime Prevention Center, where she had been instrumental in developing the School Law Enforcement Partnership Program. Fittingly, she was initially hired at Cal Boating to work in children’s education, but her responsibilities quickly expanded to include programs for both minorities and disabled individuals, and later law enforcement. Her ability to successfully wear so many hats paid off in 1995, when Dolores was appointed division chief for Boating Operations. Dolores was the division’s first female manager, and because she did not have boating expertise at the time, acceptance was difficult. But she handled her new challenges with customary aplomb. “It was very hard to be a woman manager at the time,” recalls Dolores. “I overcame the resistance to my being in that position by doing everything the very best I could.” One of the first things Dolores discovered was that the Operations Division did not have a line item budget. She quickly went to work to

Dolores Farrell Boating Operations Division Chief, 1995-2006

Mid- 1980s

1984

Cal Boating’s William Ivers, Bill Satow and Bill Curry, along with representatives of Michigan and other boating industry leaders, establish national States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) to focus on boating facilities providing public access to waterways; first meeting held in 1987.

“Wallop-Breaux” Aquatic Resources Trust Fund established by Congress. Federal funds from fishing and boating taxes become available to states for boating safety, education, law enforcement, and access programs. Although the fund’s name has changed, Cal Boating receives $6.043 million from this source annually.

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

change that process so that her programs would have definitive funds as well as control of available federal funding. Throughout her career at Cal Boating, Dolores excelled in the two areas where she had a proven track record: education and law enforcement programs. She worked with boating and educational experts to develop boating safety brochures for the general public and boating safety program materials for students and teachers statewide. Dolores and her staff received several awards from the National Boating Safety Council and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for elementary school boating safety programs developed at Cal Boating under her direction, including the “AquaSmart” program. The department’s radio spots and safety campaigns using children’s artwork also won national recognition for excellence. Dolores remembers how hard it was to be accepted initially on the national level. “California had not been actively ‘hands on’ in these areas before,” she explains. “Now we were winning awards, and other states were asking, ‘What did we know?’” But the skeptics were soon won over, and many of California’s imaginative educational programs became models that were copied by other states and other countries. Working with law enforcement was another venue where Dolores effectively brought about positive change. She helped expand a grant program for counties without a sufficient tax base to maintain a law enforcement presence on the water. What was originally a $2.5 million federal program grew to $10.6 million in funding for counties in the Delta and Shasta County to fund boat patrols on area waterways. Dolores also enhanced much of the training available from Cal Boating to law enforcement agencies – rules of the water, fire safety, navigation aides, accident investigation, and use of personal watercraft (PWC) for rescue and patrols – and added classes as well. The accident investigation

Annual Boating Safety Poster Contest

One of the highlights of Cal Boating’s education program is the annual Boating Safety Poster Contest, which marked its 14th year in 2007. Under Dolores Farrell’s direction, the poster campaign won several national awards for excellence. Open to all California students in grades K-8, the contest combines art with water safety education. Nine winning posters, one for each grade level, are selected for Cal Boating’s official calendar each year. The winners are awarded savings bonds, and their teachers receive gift certificates for classroom materials, all courtesy of corporate sponsors. Students create artwork that depicts aquatic safety themes. They not only become “waterwise,” but they help to spread the word about being safe around the water. (continued page 25)

1985 Legislation allows Cal Boating to provide loans to

1986

Through 2007, Cal Boating has provided $52 million in business loans for the construction of marina facilities used by the public.

Until 1986, California lacked clear definition of “intoxication” for a vessel operator. Making the blood alcohol level identical to the Vehicle Code standard (.10 percent) enables law enforce­ ment to crack down on impaired boat operators.

businesses for development of recreational marinas.

Fifth Department Logo, 1988–2007

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

and PWC classes have been recognized nationally as models for other state training programs, and all of the law enforcement classes offered by the department are approved by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Looking back on her time with Cal Boating, which she genuinely loved, Dolores is pleased that she had the chance to work with and train outstanding people who now carry on the programs she helped establish. She also takes pride in leaving a legacy and witnessing positive cultural change within the department. “I tried to be a supportive manager and give people the opportunity to be creative,” says Dolores. “I never said, ‘That’s not my job,’ and I was always striving for excellence.” Nevertheless, her position was demanding – constituents expected to see her out in public at events, school programs and association meetings – and required a considerable amount of travel. Dolores employs a water analogy to describe the secret of always maintaining her professionalism despite any problems going on behind the scenes. “When you see a duck on the water, it appears to be gliding smoothly on the surface as it swims along,” Dolores points out. “But underneath, its little legs are working overtime!” Dolores retired in December 2006 and immediately faced knee surgery in early 2007, but in her resilient style, she is recovering nicely. In fact, she recently enrolled in a course to train for a run/walk marathon in the fall. She “absolutely” loves boating with friends, and she still believes that the Cal Boating ethic is to provide the very best service to California boaters. “That has been our mission for 50 years,” notes Dolores, “and for 50 years, we’ve succeeded.”

(continued from page 24) Cal Boating’s highly acclaimed, free AquaSMART LIVE Puppet Show performs for K-6 classes throughout the state to augment the boating safety curriculum, including the need to wear life jackets. This free companion program to the AquaSMART series for elementary schools, which Dolores helped develop, became an immediate success when it was introduced in 2002 and now serves some 80 schools each year. The traveling puppet show is hosted by Splasher the Frog, the AquaSMART series mascot. The AquaSMART LIVE puppet show received the 2003 National Safe Boating Council’s Western Region Boating Education Advancement Award.

1992

1993

U.S. Fish andWildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act program goes into effect, allowing for construction of new vessel sewage pumpout stations through Cal Boating grants, plus regional and statewide educational programs.

More than 100 Cal Boating-funded

Cal Boating works with state Assemblymember Jackie Spier to require children under age 7 to wear a life jacket while on board vessels 26 feet or less while the boat is underway.

pumpout facilities now exist statewide; the vast majority are free to the boating public. “Pump your poop.”

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, from 1957 to 2007

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007

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1. Suzi Betzler 2. Corrina Dugger 3. Sandra Eaton 4. Marisela Chavez 5. Raynor Tsuneyoshi (Director) 6. Debra DeVerter 7. Gloria Lee-Martinez 8. Carrie Holler 9. Jennifer Madden 10. Gina Ebling 11. Kathy Emery 12. Tifani Vincent 13. Gloria Sandoval 14. Michael Doan 15. Nouae Vue 16. Dorenne Smith 17. Jose Tapia 18. Akber Ali 19. Rudy Oineza 20. Silvia Holmquist

25. Cynthia Neuberger 26. Linda Ballestero 27. Steve Watanabe 28. Megan Richman

50. Ryan Morris 51. Dan Darling 52. Jana Clarke 53. Ken Newby 54. April Moses 55. Susan Swanberg 56. Renae Anub 57. Mike Sotelo 58. David Johnson 59. John Sameron 60. Erik Olsen 61. Mark Nelson 62. Paul Ryan 63. Geoffrey Newman 64. Justin Bates 65. Marinda Isley 66. Todd Title 67. Karl Rose 68. Bill Curry 69. Fahim Buksh 70. John Nance 71. Harold Flood 72. Scott McDonell 73. Marvin Newsome 74. Todd Stremel

Not Pictured 1. Lucia Becerra 2. Pamela Tello 3. Reinhardt Flick 4. Vivian Matuk 5. Fred Costilla 6. Jim Kepa 7. Mary Cooper 8. Jim Patterson 9. Sam Larot 10. Deborah Davis 11. Tony Delgado 12. Kevin Kirchner 13. John Quigg 14. Tim Artz 15. Kim Sterrett 16. Mary Thomas 17. Sarah Sumers 18. Tyler Brookins 19. Amber Rampone

29. Jinaki Bahati 30. Phaedra Bota 31. Amy Rigby

32. Lauren Harada 33. Julian Bustillos 34. Kevin Atkinson 35. Michael Ton 36. Terry Ely 37. Greg Imura 38. Lydia Almanza 39. Rachel Arruda-De Cell 40. Don Condley 41. Mike Ammon 42. Melissa Frago 43. Margarita Sanchez

44. Gabe Comages 45. Denise Peterson 46. Michael Palm 47. Kristine Brothers 48. Marcia Carlock 49. Curt Taras

21. Raheem Alli 22. Frank Wong 23. Eddie Robles 24. Ed Somera

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007