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City of Alexandria, Virginia MEMORANDUM DATE: MARCH 7,2002 TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FROM: PHILIP SUNDERLAND, CITY ,MANAGER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE BELLE HAVEN MARINA ISSUE: Consideration of the resolution in support of the continued operation of the Belle Haven Marina. RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached resolution and forward It to the members of the City's congressional delegation. DISCUSSION; The 50‑year‑old Belle Haven Marina is located on the Potomac River south of Alexandria in Fairfax County. Belle Haven Marina, Incorporated operates the marina as a concession by the National Park Service. Last summer, the Park Service had sought to close the marina site at the end of 2001, citing a 1998 federal law that prohibits automatic contract extensions for park concessionaires in favor of competitive bidding. The Park Service also wanted to redevelop the site due to erosion and infrastructure problems. Supporters of the marina expressed strong objections to the closure proposal noting that the marina is the only Washington, D.C. area marina that combines sailing, power boating, canoeing and kayaking with the largest full‑time sailing school and boat rental operation in the mid‑Atlantic region. In early February the Park Service gave the marina operator a one year contract to continue operations at least through the end of the calendar year with an option to renew the contract for two additional years. The Park Service will conduct an environmental assessment study of the marina and expects to have the study results by mid‑2003. The Belle Haven Marina provides an important affordable public water‑oriented facility for the area, and its closure would result in a significant reduction in boating resources for the Northern Virginia region. The attached resolution (Attachment 1) requests our congressional delegation to support the efforts to retain this important Potomac River resource. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has adopted a similar resolution in support of the marina.
Attachment 1 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, since the mid‑1940's, the Belle Haven Marina has functioned as a concession from the National Park Service and the George Washington Memorial Parkway: and WHEREAS, over that period, the marina has provided a useful recreational service to thousands of Northern Virginians; and WHEREAS, the marina provides not only boating slips for the owners of boats who patronize the services of the marina. but a sailing school for new sailors: and WHEREAS, the Belle Haven Marina offers an affordable rental service to daytime boaters who wish to sail or canoe on this beautiful stretch of the Potomac River and: WHEREAS, supporters of the marina and the National Park Service have committed to protecting and preserving its adjacent neighbor, the environmentally sensitive Dyke Marsh: and WHEREAS, the Belle Haven Marina is considered a significant resource for residents of Fairfax County and its neighbors in Alexandria; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alexandria City Council, requests the support of the Northern Virginia Congressional Delegation for the continued safe operation and eventual improvement of the Belle Haven Marina and its environs provided adequate safeguards exist to protect and preserve the environmentally sensitive Dyke Marsh. IN WITNESS WHEREOF. I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Alexandria to be affixed this 12th day of March 2002. KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR On behalf of the City Council of Alexandria, Virginia ATTEST: Beverly 1. Jett, CMC City Clerk |
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