Facility Description

Ownership: The Gardiner launch ramp site is an easement over a 40-foot wide strip of land located on the western shore of Discovery Bay. The easement grants the Port the right to “. . . construct, improve, repair, maintain and to use . . . [the said property] . . . for a boat ramp for public ingress and egress and loading and unloading of pleasure boats and crafts to the waters of Discovery Bay . . .”.¹⁷ This facility provides the only public access to Discovery Bay.

Existing Facilities & Use: The Gardiner ramp is used for boat launching and recreation. The facilities at the site include a concrete boat ramp, a portable restroom, and gravel surface parking for five cars and 12 trailers.

This launch site is an exposed, single-lane concrete ramp that has no temporary dock, utilities or other in-water facilities. Although the facility continues to be used for the launching and retrieval of small boats, it is not steep enough for larger boats on trailers in the 16-foot and greater range. The observable ramp concrete is in fair to poor condition, and concrete slabs, apparently detached from the ramp, are visible on the nearby beach. These slabs could have detached from the outer, underwater portions of the ramp.

A two-lane asphalt paved road is the main access from the highway. The upland facilities consist of a gravel parking/staging area and a single temporary toilet. A private party owns this upland property. The ramp is accessed from the parking and staging area over a single lane local residential street.

Public Access, Services & Utilities:

Regional Access: US-101 via Gardiner Beach Road.

Local Access: Gardiner Beach Road (a two-lane asphalt road) is the primary means of access. Rondeley Road, Bachelor Road, and Old Gardiner Road are all in the vicinity of the site and either provide direct or indirect access.

Marine Access: The site is located along the western shore of Discovery Bay.

Fire/Emergency Services: Jefferson County Fire District #5

Utilities: No utilities are currently available on site.

References: *Easement # 151 261

Gardiner Launch Ramp Improvement Plan

The poor condition of this facility coupled with the fact that it provides the only public ramp access to Discovery Bay, indicates a near-term need to replace the existing ramp with an upgraded facility. Trailer boaters contacted by the Port have stated that the lack of a handling float substantially diminishes the utility of a ramp at this location, even if replaced.

Accordingly, this plan for the Gardiner Launch Ramp is to substantially replace and upgrade the existing facility with a new ramp and associated seasonal handling float. The Port is also engaged discussions with the Washington State Department of Wildlife (WDFW) regarding a partnership that would allow use of their immediately adjacent 1.5-acre parcel for vehicle and trailer-boat parking. The Port would also consider purchase of adjacent property to enhance the existing recreational facilities.

Estimated Capital Project Costs – Gardiner Launch Ramp: $900,000 in CSHI years 1-5.

TOTAL = $900,000