for renovations this summer.

The nice thing about this is that the damned rock right off the ramp
that keeps moving from place to place busting props will be removed.
That rock was trained by the prop repair businesses in the area to
keep them fully employed. :)

Credit to James Ehlers, Outdoors Magazine for the original post.

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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
forrehabilitation 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


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)