URGENT!

In.

That blows!

 Well it looks like we are going to have to bring out a dozer and create our own boat ramp.

I wouldn't worry about it guys.  It's probably just a sham/scare tactic.  For one I highly doubt they'll build residential/commercial property there and two no one (at least within the next few years) will invest money to build anything in that area.  Don't get me wrong, I know West Sac is growing but there's already enough development throughout the general area.

Now if they decide to start charging access to fish that area then I'm all for it...providing they lay down some asphalt, put up some lighting (for us late night slayers) and maybe a camera for a little security.  As it stands it's nothing more than a 15 ft section of pavement that leads into a light fenced dirt parking lot.

Worst case scenario; talk to Abdiver about all of us pitching in to rent that freakin' dozer.   

I see why they want to do this. With all the new property sales, rents, etc, they will bring in a shit load more revenue than the park brings in. But with that said. Who in there right mind would try to develop that area in times like this.

Definetly in! will set many booby traps as well if they do! Thier not takin this one away from me w/o a fight!

The problem is, if it is sold, it becomes private prop. Nobody will develop the ground in this economy, no roi. But, spec builders usually buy land when it is cheap, develop when there is demand. This is very real, and the city of west sac is broke. There are no prop taxes being made off it as public ground. This will be a fast cash infusion for them off the sale and future income off tax. I would like to protest, and will, but there is next to nothing that can be done. I suppose we could buy the tract of land, but i am not exactly THAT well off. I still have two legal ways of launching there, but only during business hours. I bet that boat club and the dock dick went home and rubbed peanut butter all over themselves when they heard about this!

Update,
I spoke to the "Commodore" of the Washington Outboard Club on the phone. He invited me to attend their monthly meeting tomorrow night and fill out an application to join.


The meeting is at 7pm, February 8th at the VFW hall located at 905 Drever Street in West Sacramento.

Apparently as a term of their new lease, %10 of their new members must be from West Sac or Clarksburg. While that helps my chances of getting my application approved, The crotchety old man said that their club bylaws state that their club is is for boats with OUT-board motors, not kayaks. This guy seemed like a grade A tool. He actually said that he expects to see a kayaker flip and drown in the port because kayaks are such tippy little things. He specifically said OUT-board motors. I asked about In-board motors, since I've seen several launched. He said that they were allowed as well.

My thought: If a boat is allowed if it CAN be powered by an outboard motor, but doesn't have to be actually using it, why not a kayak? I will do some recon to dissect their bylaws and report back.

Option number 2:

That ramp is the property of the Port of West Sacramento. It is used by the Washington Outboard Club, UCD Rowing Club, River City Rowing Club and The Lake Washington Sailing Club.

I'm looking into what it takes to start a kayak fishing club and gain access to the ramp with our own charter/lease.

P.S. I'm facebook friends with the Mayor now.

Im in!

Yeah lmk if I can sign a petition or whatever.  Just started kayak fishing and I love this place because there are no fees.  Everywhere else requires fees or it's private property.

Wow...that's all I can say. Damn those whales!

Update:

I went to the monthly meeting for the Washington Outboard Club last night to do some recon, ah, er, I mean research.

After talking with their "Commodore" and listening to their meeting, I don't think that joining their club is going to be a solution. Their club by laws and general crankiness are not a good match.

Plan B is already in motion. I have enlisted my sneakiest, meanest, dirtiest operative (my wife) to gather more intel. Her work supports the local redevelopment agencies.

I will be contacting the port to see what is required to start a Kayak/Canoe fishing club to gain access to an open ramp.

I will report back when new info becomes available. That may be after the state passes their budget that will decide the fate of the redevelopment funds.

Good News!

I just spoke with the redevelopment agency manager who explained the situation to me extremely well.

The language in the state budget (that has yet to be passed) reads that not only are the redevelopment agencies to be discontinued, but all their assets are to be liquidated as well. This conceivably could lead to all of the property being sold. There would be numerous lawsuits involved that would drag it out for some time.

To protect the assets, some agencies are "gifting" their property to their cities to keep from losing it. West Sacs agency thinks that these "gifts" might easily be overturned by lawsuits from the state. West Sac redevelopment has instead attached to the title for all of the properties, legal requirements for its development.

Example: Requiring recreational space and low income housing to be built by a developer who is putting in a subdivision.

So, any property that the redevelopment agency may have to sell, will have attached to its title, legal mandates keeping it used as the city intended.

With that explanation, I don't think we have anything to worry about. That ramp should stay open for public use for quite some time.

I just wish I had time to fish the port to celebrate.

Kool,

  Thanks for your persistence on this....


 got the yak on the car right now...  if I survive this 3 day shift,

I'll be there tomorrow, will celebrate.... 

  Cheers!!! 

Well I guess the system works    Thanks for the update!  It's a cool spot, and I would hate to see it just paved over    I don't fish Sac much at all, but having a spot I can trust to park and launch is priceless.

16 - Thanks for your persistence in clarifying - it is much appreciated and a big relief.

Please excuse the threadjack, but since lots of port-lovers are paying attention, I think we are in desperate need of a volunteer port clean-up day.  Unfortunately not everyone who uses the port is as conscientious as the members of this community and the litter and fishing debris is getting out of control.  It seems like a couple hours of concerted effort would make a big difference and I would be happy to donate some time to help clean up one of my favorite spots.  If we're passionate enough to protest for the port, hopefully we're passionate enough to put a little maintenance into it.

Any interest?