Long Island Sound boat ramp closure ...

Connecticut DEP To Temporarily Close the Barn Island State Boat Launch in
Stonington for Renovations
Alternative Public Boat Launches Available

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be
temporarily closing the Barn Island State Boat Launch in Stonington for
rehabilitation and expansion of the ramp surface. The closure will be
effective March 22, 2004 through August 1, 2004 while the DEP upgrades and
enhances the State boat launch. The $700,000 renovation project is funded by
the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Fund that supports projects that
enhance boating access.

Renovations to the Barn Island State Boat Launch will include:

a.. Boat ramp - installing a new, wider ramp of pre-cast concrete;
b.. Gravel landing area - creating a gravel area to the west of the launch
ramp for use by kayaks, canoes, windsurfers, etc;
c.. Floating docks - constructing two concrete bulkheads with aluminum
gangways each leading to 8' wide x 80' long, handicapped accessible floating
docks;
d.. Dredging - dredging in the immediate vicinity of the proposed ramp and
floating docks;
e.. Rock removal - removing the submerged rock hazard adjacent to the
ramp;
f.. Parking area - redesigning, reconstructing, and paving the parking
area.
"The rehabilitation of the boat launch will enhance recreational
opportunities at Barn Island for all boaters to enjoy," said Eleanor
Mariani, Director of DEP's Boating Division. "The renovations, which will be
completed in mid-summer, will improve boating operations with better
designed parking, a wider boat ramp, and additional floating docks; all
facilitating the safe and efficient launching and retrieval of boats."

While the renovations are taking place, the public can utilize the following
boat launches to access Long Island Sound: Bayberry Lane State Boat Launch
in Groton, K.E. Streeter State Boat Launch on the Thames River in Groton and
the Thames River State Boat Launch in New London. For additional state owned
boat launches visit the DEP website at:
www.dep.state.ct.us/rec/boating/guide.htm.


--
James Ehlers

Outdoors Magazine
www.outdoorsmagazine.net

On Fri, 12 Mar 2004 09:31:52 -0500, "Outdoors Magazine"
wrote:


e.. Rock removal - removing the submerged rock hazard adjacent to the
ramp;

YIPPEE!!!! WHA HOOO!!!!!!

That G-- D--- #!$%$#^&*%$%^&%^!#$%#$%^&^& rock has busted at least
three props on me on three different boats.

I swear, that rock keeps moving around on purpose. :)

This is a good launch spot as it is - improving it will turn it into a
great place to launch.

By the way, an additional launch area near Barn Island would be the RI
DEM launch in Westerly at the top of the Pawcatuck River.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Do fishermen eat avocados? This is a question
that no one ever thinks to ask."

Russel Chatham, "Dark Waters" (1988)