California Coastal Commission Approves Davies Launch Ramp Redevelopment

LONG BEACH— A project to update the Davies Launch Ramp, which provides access to Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, now has a Coastal Development Permit. The California Coastal Commission approved the redevelopment project with eight conditions at its May 13 meeting. The project will replace the boat launch ramp, restroom, and the existing timber public dock system, which currently grounds at low tides, with a new ADA-compliant concrete public dock system that is the same size and shape as the current dock, but located 10 feet seaward of the existing location. The plan also includes installing drainage and sewage pump-out stations; repaving the parking lot; adding five parking spaces, including eight with electric vehicle charging capabilities; installing a fish cleaning station; upgrading way finding signage and trash facilities; repairing rip rap; and implementing eelgrass mitigation adjacent to project area. The installation of larger dock support piles will result in the fill or removal of a total of 25.9 square feet of soft-bottom habitat from the marine ecosystem and the relocation of the public dock will shade approximately 121.5 square feet of existing eelgrass habitat but also make approximately 3,600 square feet of shallower marine and intertidal habitat available for eelgrass growth. As part...