This document summarizes recommendations from a study on improving Puerto Rico's boat ramp system. It identifies growing boater populations as motivation for developing more access points. An analysis of existing ramps rated their qualities, leading to recommendations for 8 new sites. A boat ramp database and public participation plan were also proposed to involve stakeholders and share information.

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Social and Developmental
Recommendations for the Puerto
Rico Boat Ramp System
Sponsored By:
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources
Jamison Divoll
Ashley Zalucky
Brian Martiniello
Brett Dickson

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Boater Growth Trend
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Data: DNER 2003. Boating Commissioner Office
Recreational Boats Jet Skis

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Boat Distribution By Category
20,585 50
33,490
5,567
1,311
15,994
<16
16-26
26-40
40-65
65
Jet Ski
Data: DNER 2003. Boating Commissioner Office

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Hourglass Diagram
DEMAND
RESOURCES
ACCESS
Provided by Ruperto Chaparro (Sea Grant Director)

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Current Situation
Higuey Boat Ramp Los Machos Boat Ramp

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Current Situation
Aguada Boat
Ramp
Maunabo Boat
Ramp

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Current Situation
Parguera, Lajas Arecibo

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1. Boat Ramp Information System
2. Recommend sites for future
development
3. Public Participation Plan
Project Objectives

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Wave and Current Action
Los Tubos Beach, Manatí El Corcho, Ceiba

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Parking Availability
Vega Baja Public Beach Aguadilla

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Slope
Añasco San Jacinto, Guánica

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Surrounding Area
El Seco, MayagüezEl Combate, Cabo Rojo

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Possible Environmental Impacts
El Corcho, Ceiba Environmental Sensitivity Index

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User Friendliness
 Includes
 Maneuvering Room
 Ramp Dimensions
 Amenities
 Accessibility
El Corcho’s access roadAmenities at Puerto
de Jobos

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Boat Ramp Information System
Boat Ramp Worksheet – Data Collection

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Boat Ramp Worksheet – Data Collection (Continued)

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 Microsoft Access Database
 Two Users: Guest, DNER
 Functions: view printable reports, search, add/edit information
Boat Ramp Information System
Digital Database
Database: Puerto Rico Boat Ramps – Database & Inventory
Overall, database functions as a tool to inform the public about the
current state of water access in Puerto Rico.

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Site Comparison Plan
 Boat Ramp Information System
 Data
 Photographs
 Environmental Sensitivity Indices
 Site Rating System
 6 criteria
 Scale of 1 to 10, 2 to 3 point subsections
 60 point total
 Geographical Information System Maps

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Site Rating System Results
 Completed List
 Examine Ratings and Scores
 Total scores 28 to 49
 5 sites not rated
 Determine Potential Recommendations
 Total score 36 or >
 Other Considerations
 Relative location to one another
 Distribution of quality sites

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Recommendations
 Time Constraint
 Site Rating Results
 Distribution of Good Qualities
 Accommodating Boaters Around the Island

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Recommended Sites
 Arroyo
 Aquadilla
 Arecibo #2
 Villa Pesquera
 Los Machos
 El Combate
 Yabucoa
 Añasco

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Development Considerations
 Support
 Growing Boater
Population
 Lack of Access
 Overcrowding
 Safety
 Economics
 Tourism
 Business
 Control Environmental
Effects
 Concern
 Community Issues
 Traffic
 Development
 Environmental Impacts
 Water Pollution
 Endangered Species

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Public Policy & DNER
 Initial Research
 Background research on public policy
 Characteristics
 Methods
 Current DNER policies

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Information Gathering Phase
 More background research
 Piñones
 Key Informant Interviews

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Key Informant Interviews
 Miguel Rolón – Caribbean Fisheries Management Council
 Benito Pinto – Editor of La Regata Boating Newspaper
 Alexis Molinares – Environmental Consultant
 Manuel Valdés Pizzini – Former Sea Grant Director and acting Dean of
the College of Arts & Sciences, University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez)
 Ruperto Chaparro – Sea Grant Program Director
 Carlos Díaz – US Fish and Wildlifte Service
 Rosa Hilda Ramos – Community and Environmental Leader
 Julio Morell – Chemical Oceanographer at University of Puerto Rico

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Information Providing Phase
 Flyer distribution
 Boat ramp database
 GIS Maps

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Information Exchange
 Public Participation Plan
 Focus groups
 Public forums
 To be carried out by Boat Ramp Committee

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1. Identify key stakeholders
2. Assemble Focus groups
3. Determine Preliminary Design
4. Hold Public Forum
5. Conduct Additional Focus Groups
6. Hold Additional Public Forum
7. Decision Making
Public Participation Plan Outline

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Boat Ramp Committee
 Member backgrounds
 DNER
 Environmental/ Community leader
 Boating industry/ Journalism
 Environmental consultant
 Wildlife ranger
 Recommendations
 Small business development
 Recreational boating/ Fishing community leaders
 US Army Corps of Engineers

33. Thank You!

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