Docks and Decks
Spring and summer are ideal times to plan for construction, especially if it involves work along the shoreline or over the water.
Constructing on the Water
New structures such as docks, boatlifts, floating docks, decking and gangways create shadows over the water. These shadows can decrease habitat for plants, fish and other organisms in the waters of the Bay. In addition, noise from construction such as pile driving or dredging can disrupt the migration of birds and fish.
Federal and State work windows for construction in the water are the summer and fall months between June 15 and November 30. Restrictions on work along West Shore Road generally align with the closure of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary in Richardson Bay, the winter and spring months between October 1 to March 31. Time considerations also include the City staff work involved in processing applications for new or expanded structures. Scientific review of biological impacts can only occur in mid-May to mid-August, and applications must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission before construction can begin.
The draft General Plan recommends that the City work with Federal and State agencies to streamline the process. A programmatic approach to reviewing work along the shoreline and in the water will be presented to residents for comments in 2011.
For more information, give me a call at 415-435-3838 or send me an email at pmacdonald@cityofbelvedere.org.
Pierce Macdonald
Pierce Macdonald
Planning Manager
City of Belvedere
