DBW-50thAnnBook-PROOF

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