Mississippi Coastal Recreational Boating Access: Assessment and Projected Needs

Prepared By: David D. Burrage, Cathy Z. Hollomon, Benedict C. Posadas

Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center 2710 Beach Blvd., Suite 1-E, Biloxi, MS 39531 Tel: 228-388-4710, Fax: 228-388-1375 http://www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/crec.html December 1999

I. Introduction: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is undertaking a long-range planning effort addressing public access issues within Mississippis coastal zone. Public access in this context is a comprehensive term involving multiple uses and a panoply of groups competing for use of state and local government controlled public lands in Mississippis three coastal counties. Examples of these public lands include the sand beach, water bottoms subject to the ebb and flow of the tide (more formally known as tidelands), coastal preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Competing uses include the harvesting and processing sectors of Mississippis seafood industry, residential development, commercial development (particularly the dockside gaming industry), wildlife conservation, and recreation. Each of these broad categories can be further sub-divided into various user groups. For example, recreational users might include sunbathers, swimmers, fishermen, bird watchers, campers, and boaters. Some of these uses are compatible (e.g. boating and fishing) while others often conflict (e.g. personal watercraft operation and bird watching). As part of this planning effort, the DMR requested assistance from Mississippi State Universitys Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC) to provide information and guidance related to coastal recreational boating industry infrastructure facilities and needs. CREC personnel conducted research to determine demand profiles for recreational boating facilities and services and to compare existing price structures to facilities located in neighboring states. In addition, extensive field work was conducted in order to provide a detailed inventory of existing facilities and assessments of potential development sites. II. Demand Profile: Three methods were used to synthesize the demand for recreational boating access in the Mississippi coastal zone 1) an examination of growth in coastal boat ownership based on timeseries data, 2) a compilation of waiting lists for marina and dry storage facilities, and 3) use of the Florida technique (Bell, 1995) linking boat ownership to population growth and per capita income. Boat ownership. Data on coastal boat registrations were collected for the six counties adjacent to Mississippis marine coastline under the assumption that this comprised the primary market area for boating facilities and services. Total boat registration figures were obtained for the years 1992 and 1999 and are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. Use (salt water vs. fresh water) and size category data were obtained for the year 1999 and are shown in Figures 2 and 3 and Table 2 respectively (MBWSC, 1999).

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Table 1. Mississippi Coastal Boat Registrations by County 1992 Hancock Harrison Jackson Pearl River Stone George Total 4,540 17,002 17,238 3,909 1,278 2,222 46,189 1999 7,249 24,207 23,252 5,624 1,831 3,375 65,538 % Change 59.7 42.4 34.9 43.9 43.3 51.9 41.9

Source:(Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks)

Figure 1.

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Figure 2.

Figure 3.

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Table 2. Coastal Boat Registrations by Size Category (Boat Length in Feet)

<16 Harrison Hancock Jackson Pearl River Stone George Total 12,756 3,165 13,633 3,829 1,296 2,739 37,418 16 - 25 10,187 3,631 8,704 1,752 512 618 25,404 26 - 39 1,076 355 842 39 20 16 2,348 40 - 65 179 48 71 4 3 2 307 >65 Salt Water 9 0 2 0 0 0 11 11,752 4,083 10,857 1,863 452 557 29,564 Fresh Water 12,455 3,166 12,395 3,761 1,379 2,818 35,974 Total 24,207 7,249 23,252 5,624 1,831 3,375 65,538

There was an overall 42 percent increase in boat registrations between 1992 and 1999. Most (72 percent) of the 65.5 thousand boats registered in the six-county area were registered in Jackson and Harrison counties, in correspondence with the proportionate population base. About 96 percent of the boats registered in the six coastal counties were less than 26 feet in length, indicating that most boats in the region were capable of being stored or transported on a trailer. About 45 percent (29.6 thousand) of the boats in the region are used primarily in salt water. Because recreational boats over 5 net tons may be documented rather than state registered, the number of registered boats given for the larger size categories is less than the actual number of boats of that size in the region. In addition, the hailing port for documented vessels typically coincides with the city of residence of the owner rather than the actual physical location of the boat. Therefore, a better measure of demand associated with larger recreational vessels can be obtained by examining marina vessel characteristics and waiting lists. Waiting lists. The CREC conducted a survey of coastal marinas in the winter of 1999 (see appendices). Information obtained during this survey was used to generate a marina waiting list profile for each of the three coastal counties. Six public and three private marinas in Harrison County indicated a total waiting list for boat slips of about 750 vessels. About 650 of these were for public facilities located in municipal marinas--most (400) in Biloxi followed by 145 in Gulfport, 65 in Long Beach and 50 in Pass Christian. Three private and two public facilities in Jackson County indicated a waiting list of about 300 vessels. Again, most of the demand was for public facilities with 165 on the waiting list for Ocean Springs Harbor and about 50 on the waiting list for Pascagoulas Inner Harbor. There are no public marinas for recreational boaters in Hancock County and five private facilities indicated a total waiting list of about 15-20 vessels. About 85 percent of the demand for slip space was generated by vessels between 26 and 65 feet in length. The waiting list profiles closely mirror county boat registration data and proximity to major population centers within the respective coastal counties. The relatively greater demand for public facilities was primarily due to differences in pricing between public and private facilities and secondarily due to facility location. -4-

Population. The 1995 population in the three Mississippi coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson) was about 342,000, and is expected to increase to about 400,000 by the year 2010 (Gulf South Economic Research Center, 1998). The majority (66 percent) of the population base within the six southeastern counties of the state lies within Harrison County and Jackson County. Table 3. Coastal Mississippi Population Estimates by County County Hancock Harrison Jackson Pearl River Stone George Total Source: April 1, 1990 31,760 165,365 115,243 38,714 10,750 16,673 411,468 July 1, 1998 40,327 177,981 130,910 46,862 13,166 19,645 464,867 Percent change 27.0% 7.6% 13.6% 21.0% 22.5% 17.8% .

Population Estimates Program, Population Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C.

Figure 4.

Distribution of Coastal Mississippi Population by County

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Per capita income. There has been consistent increase in per capita incomes (PCI) in coastal Mississippi counties between 1992 and 1997 (Table 4). Harrison County reported the highest PCI in 1997 followed by Jackson, Hancock, Stone, Pearl River and George counties (Figure 5).

Table 4. Coastal Mississippi Per Capita Income by County County 1992 1997 Average Annual Percent change 1.4% 3.6% 1.3% 1.8% 1.3% 1.6%

Hancock Harrison Jackson Pearl River Stone George Sources:

in constant 1992 dollars 13,333 14,559 14,674 17,732 15,332 16,192 11,721 12,902 13,027 13,765 11,874 12,510 Gulf South Economic Research Center and Bureau of Economic Analysis, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure 5.

Coastal Mississippi Per Capita Personal Income by County, in Current Dollars

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Projected demand for boat ramps. Using the two statistical methods (OLS and logit) applied by Bell (1995) to estimate demand and supply of boat ramps for the coastal regions of Florida, the projected demand for boat ramps in the three coastal counties of Mississippi was estimated. The coefficients of the models used in estimating projected demand for Escambia County, Florida for year 2000 were used to estimate projected demand in the three Mississippi coastal counties in year 2000. The procedure and coefficients of the ordinary least squares (OLS) model used to estimate the projected demand for each coastal Mississippi county are as follows: Eqn 1 Average boat ramp days per year in each county = [percent of boaters using boat ramps] x [boat registrations in each county per year] x [boating days per household per year] Figure 6. Coastal Mississippi Boat Ramp Lanes

60 Number of boat ramp lanes 50 40 30 20 10 0

Hancock

Harrison

Jackson

Boat ramp lanes available Additional boat ramp lanes needed

For example, in Harrison County, the values are as follows: Average boat ramp days = 0.62019 x 24,207 x 27.52 = 413,156 days per year

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Eqn 2 [Peak boat ramp demand per day boat ramp carrying capacity per day] = {[Percent peak boater demand days per year] x [average boat ramp days per year] [peak days per year]} {[number of boat launches per ramp per 12-hour-day using 30-minute scenario] x [number of boat ramp lanes available in each county]} In Harrison County, the estimating equation is as follows: Ratio of demand to carrying capacity = [0.59375 x 413,156 111] [24 x 51] = 2,210 1,224 = 1.8056 Eqn 3 Projected demand for additional boat ramps in each county = {[Peak boat ramp demand per day] [boat ramp carrying capacity per day]} x {number of boat ramp lanes available in each county} - [number of boat ramps available in each county] In Harrison County, the values used in the model are as follows: Projected demand = 1.8056 x 51 - 51 = 41 more boat ramps. The logit method of estimating projected demand used the probability of selecting a boat ramp which was estimated from a sample of boat owners. The probability of using a boat ramp was determined by household income (negative effect), age of the boat owner (negative effect) and the size of the boat (negative effect). The procedure and coefficients of the logit model used to estimate the projected demand for each coastal Mississippi county are as follows: Eqn 1 Average boat ramp days per year in each county = [probability of boaters using boat ramps] x [boat registrations in each county per year] x [boating days per household per year] For example, in Harrison County, the values used in the model are as follows: Average boat ramp days = 0.62875 x 24,207 x 27.52 = 418,859 days per year Eqn 2 [Peak boat ramp demand per day boat ramp carrying capacity per day] = {[Percent peak boater demand days per year] x [average boat ramp days per year] [peak days per year]} {[number of boat launches per ramp per 12-hour-day using 30-minute scenario] x [number of boat ramp lanes available in each county]} In Harrison County, the estimating equation is as follows: Ratio of demand to carrying capacity = [0.59375 x 418,875 111] [24 x 51] = 2,241 1,224 = 1.8305 Eqn 3 Projected demand for additional boat ramps in each county = {[Peak boat ramp demand per day] [boat ramp carrying capacity per day]} x {number of boat ramp lanes available in each county} - [number of boat ramps available in each county]

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In Harrison County, the values used in the estimating equation are as follows: Projected demand = 1.8305 x 51 - 51 = 42 more boat ramps. The projected need for boat ramp lanes in each county was finally computed by taking the average of the results of the two methods (OLS vs. logit). For Harrison County, it is equal to 41 which is the average of 41 (OLS method) and 42 (logit method) additional boat ramp lanes. The same procedures and coefficients were applied in estimating the projected boat ramp needs for Jackson and Hancock Counties. The projected demand in Jackson and Hancock Counties in year 2000 is 37 and 3 more boat ramp lanes, respectively (Figure 7). It should be noted, however, that these results have certain limitations due to the nature of the predictive models used. These models did not take into consideration non-coastal residents from out-of-state and other counties who might be using these boat ramps. These estimates represent peak demand for boat ramps during weekends and holidays.

III. Description of Existing Facilities: Boat Launches CREC personnel conducted on-site surveys of all boat launches in the three coastal counties. Not included in this compilation are unimproved sites located along coastal rivers designed primarily for canoe and kayak access. Also not included are sites which are unavailable for use by the general public, such as those in private housing developments and on military bases. Both public ramps (no launch fee) and private ramps available to the general public for a minimal fee are included in the survey. Average water depths at the launch site as well as controlling water depths for the adjacent water body were recorded, and launch ramp slope, surface and maneuvering areas were noted in order to determine the size of boats which could be launched and retrieved at the facility. The design standard for boat ramp slope is 12 to 13 percent (Ramsey and Sleeper, 1994). However, most ramps along the Mississippi coast are sloped more gradually due to the minimal tidal range. As a general rule, any ramps steeper than 15 percent should only be used for very small lightweight boats. Ramps with slopes less than 6 or 7 percent should be avoided because it becomes necessary to contact the water with the tow vehicle in order to get the trailer into deep enough water to launch or retrieve the boat. Launch locations are given in terms of water body, latitude and longitude, and street location. Number and type of parking for vehicles with and without trailers is given, as well as information about amenities such as lighting, trash disposal, comfort facilities and loading/unloading docks designed to ease ramp congestion.

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Table 5.
1 2 Rouchon House Curtis Johnson Waterfront Park Logtown Pearlington Bea and Woody's Marina Port Bienville La France Fishing Camp Bordages Marina Hancock County Marina Bayou Caddy American Legion Bay-Waveland Yacht Club Cedar Point Casio Magic Bay Marina Bayou LaCroix McLeod State Park Bayou Talla Diamondhead Marina

Location and Characteristics of Boat Ramps in the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Hancock County
Private Street Location Stennis Space Center X Napolean Water Location Pearl River Pearl River Latitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) 30 20 54.7 30 19 43.6 Longitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) 89 38 25.9 89 37 54.6 No. of Slope (%) Ramp Surface Ramps 1 10 Corrugated Concrete 1 12 Corrugated Concrete 1 1 1 4 8 10 Shell Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete

Map No. Launch Name Public

3 4 5

X X X

End of 1st dirt rd south of Hwy. 90 off Hwy. 607 End of Monroe St in downtown Pearlington 16463 Hwy. 90, Pearlington

Pearl River Pearl River Cowan Bayou

30 16 49.0 30 14 52.4 30 14 29.9

89 37 50.9 89 36 56.4 89 36 20.1

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

End of road A inside Port Bienville Industrial Park 3200 Ansley Road, Bay St. Louis 6149 Central Ave. Bay St. Louis Pleasant Street, Bay St. Louis End of Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis End of Washington St., Bay St. Louis North Beach Blvd. Bay St. Louis

Mulatto Bayou Campbell Inside Bayou Bayou Caddy Bayou Caddy Bayou Caddy Bay St. Louis Bay St. Louis

30 13 26.9 30 12 28.4 30 14 30.3 30 14 23.1 30 14 18.8 30 18 07.9 30 19 29.3 30 20 20.3 30 20 06.9 30 19 24.6 30 19 45.7 30 23 09.9 30 23 55.8 30 21 56.0

89 35 08.0 89 29 59.0 89 26 29.1 89 25 56.1 89 25 36.0 89 19 40.0 89 19 35.1 89 21 16.8 89 21 23.9 89 22 57.2 89 25 24.0 89 27 25.6 89 26 06.5 89 22 25.3

1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1

8 8 7 8 6 10 9 9 9 8 5 6 14 10

End of North Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis Bay St. Louis 711 Casio Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis 100 Bay Marina Dr., Bay St. Louis Hwy. 603 at Bayou LaCroix Texas Flat Road, Kiln End of Comanche St. Kiln 3400 Yacht Club Circle, Diamondhead Bay St. Louis Jourdan River Bayou LaCroix Ox Bow to Jourdan River Bayou Talla Canal to Jourdan River

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Table 5.

Cont.
Trailer Parking Spaces Approx. 9 Car Parking Spaces Lighted? Comfort Trash Facilities? Receptacles? No No Comments

Map No. Launch NameWater Depth Charted Depth of at Launch Adjacent (ft.) Waterbody (ft.) 1 Rouchon 2.0 Not Charted House 2 Curtis Johnson Waterfront Park Logtown Pearlington Bea and Woody's Marina Port Bienville La France Fishing Camp Bordages Marina Hancock County Marina Bayou Caddy 4.5 12

Approx. 9

No

Approx. 12

Approx. 12

No

No

Yes

Must have permission to enter Stennis Space Center; launch is well sheltered Difficult to access; rutted dirt road; launch is well sheltered

3 4 5

1.5 4.0 3.0

12 12 Not Charted

Approx. 8 Approx. 7 Approx. 15

Approx. 8 Approx. 7 Approx. 15

No Yes Yes

No No Yes

No Yes No

No piers at launch site; mostly local use; no signs to locate facility Located on main river channel, signage in town directing to launch Family operated marina, mostly local use Located inside the Industrial Park. No piers at the launch site Large facility; plenty of parking Well protected; facility in disrepair New marina facility, well designated slips, caters to shrimp boats Very confined space for launching and loading. Tied and sunken shrimp boats next to ramp. Exposed to winds Must have membership

6 7 8 9

2.5 3.5 5.0 5.0

10 Not Charted Not Charted 7

Approx. 12 Approx. 25 Approx. 6 Approx. 40

Approx. 12 Approx. 25 Approx. 6 Approx. 40

No Yes Yes Yes

No Yes No Yes

No Yes No Yes

10

3.5

Approx. 25

Approx. 25

Yes

No

Yes

11 12

13

American Legion BayWaveland Yacht Club Cedar Point

3.5 3.0

7 4

Approx. 20 Approx. 10

Approx. 20 Approx. 10

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

3.5

10

None (roadside)

None (roadside)

No

No

No

14 15 16 17 18 19

Casio Magic Bay Marina Bayou LaCroix McLeod State Park Bayou Talla Diamondhead Marina

5.5 3.0 1.5 3.5 5.5 4.0

10 Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted

Approx. 20 Approx. 5 Approx. 25 Approx. 8 None (roadside) Approx. 10

Approx. 20 Approx. 5 Approx. 25 Approx. 8 None (roadside) Approx. 10

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

No Yes No Yes No Yes

No Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Ramp has double slope surface. Underwater slope is steep; users often complain Exposed to northeast winds Launch is well sheltered Launch is well sheltered Launch is well sheltered Not recommended for long trailers Launch is well sheltered

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Table 6.Location and Characteristics of Boat Ramps in the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Harrison County
Map No. 1 2 3 4 5 Launch Name Merlin Necaise Discovery Bay Bayou Portage Henderson Point Pass Christian Harbor (West) Pass Christian Harbor (East) Long Beach Harbor Gulfport Harbor Gulfport Lake Biloxi River M&M Parker's Landing Cedar Lake Handsboro Popp's Ferry Causeway Popp's Ferry Fish Camp Hiller Park Forrest Avenue D'Iberville I 110 Boat Launch Lee Street Biloxi Small Craft Harbor Kuhn Street Oak Street X X X X X X X X Public X X X X X Private Street Location Water Location Southwest Side of Henderson Ave. Wolf River Bridge Discovery Bay Marina Bayou Portage Henderson Ave. at Clark St. Foot of Bayview St. Highway 90 at Pass Christian Harbor Bayou Portage Bay St. Louis Mississippi Sound Latitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) 30 21 25.6 30 20 49.5 30 20 23.7 30 18 45.0 30 18 46.3 Longitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) 89 16 22.8 89 15 27.1 89 15 49.5 89 17 26.2 89 14 57.6 No. of Ramps 2 1 1 1 2 Slope (%) 9 7 9 9 8 Ramp Surface Corrugated Concrete Dirt/Gravel Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete

Highway 90 at Pass Christian Harbor

Mississippi Sound

30 18 43.2

89 14 45.3

Concrete

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

X X X X X

Highway 90 at Long Beach Harbor Mississippi Sound Highway 90 at Gulfport Harbor Off Washington Ave. Near Tramark Golf Course Lorraine Rd., Southeast Side of Bridge Lorraine Rd. Hwy. 67 at Interstate 10 Mississippi Sound Bayou Bernard Biloxi River Biloxi River Tchoutacabouffa River

30 20 43.8 30 21 56.6 30 25 28.4 30 27 10.7 30 27 30.8 30 27 33.8 30 27 32.7 30 24 28.5 30 25 10.1 30 24 50.6 30 24 38.9 30 24 43.6 30 25 35.1

89 08 30.4 89 05 17.7 89 03 37.1 89 00 48.0 89 00 32.9 88 57 54.8 88 56 18.3 89 01 00.8 88 58 43.1 88 58 32.0 88 57 14.0 88 54 16.7 88 53 32.0

6 8 3 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 3 4

8 10 9 17 17 10 7 17 12 17 6 7 7

Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Sand/Gravel Concrete Concrete Concrete Rough Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Corrugated Concrete Corrugated Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete

Cedar Lake Rd., Southeast Side of Tchoutacabouffa River Bridge Switzer Rd. at Handsboro Ctr. Bayou Bernard Causeway Dr. Back Bay of Biloxi Popp's Ferry Rd., Southeast Side Back Bay of Biloxi of Bridge Hiller Drive Back Bay of Biloxi North End of Forrest Avenue Back Bay of Biloxi Bayshore Drive Under North End ofBack Bay of Biloxi I - 110 North End of Lee Street Highway 90 at Biloxi Small Craft Harbor Highway 90 at Kuhn Street Highway 90 at Oak Street Back Bay of Biloxi Mississippi Sound Mississippi Sound Mississippi Sound

20 21 22 23

X X X X

30 24 39.6 30 23 31.7 30 23 33.0 30 23 31.0

88 52 43.2 88 53 0.3 88 52 21.6 88 52 04.9

2 2 2 2

9 10 13 12

Table 6.Cont.

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Map No. Launch Name Water Depth at Launch (ft.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Merlin Necaise Discovery Bay Bayou Portage Henderson Point Pass Christian Harbor (West) Pass Christian Harbor (East) Long Beach Harbor Gulfport Harbor Gulfport Lake Biloxi River M&M Parker's Landing Cedar Lake Handsboro Popp's Ferry Causeway Popp's Ferry Fish Camp Hiller Park Forrest Avenue D'Iberville I 110 Boat Launch Lee Street Biloxi Small Craft Harbor Kuhn Street Oak Street 4.0 3.0 4.0 2.5 5.0 3.5 3.5 6.0 6.5 2.0 1.5 2.5 5.0 3.5 5.0 2.5 4.0 2.0 5.0

Charted Depth of Adjacent Waterbody (ft.) 9 7 7 4 6 6 8 8 9 Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted 8 14 26 2 3 12

Trailer Parking Spaces 20 - 25 (Roadside) Approx. 15 (Dirt/Gravel Lot) Approx. 15 (Grass Lot) 25 - 30 (Roadside) 30 17 65 2 acres of mixed parking 28 designated 6-8 3-4 30 1/2 acre of mixed parking Approx. 6 14 None designated 14 8 (Across Street) 35 designated

Car Parking Spaces Approx. 10 (Roadside) Approx. 7 (Dirt/Gravel Lot) Approx. 15 (Grass Lot) Approx. 10 (Roadside) Approx. 30 52 15 2 acres of mixed parking 4 0 4 Approx. 12 1/2 acre of mixed parking 15 10 22 8 None designated 8

Lighted?

Comfort Facilities? No At Marina No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No No Yes No No Yes

Trash Receptacles? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes

Comments

Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes

Brand new ramp, very good Unimproved, in disrepair, difficult road access Suitable only for small boats due to limited maneuvering area Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats No nearby parking, good wave protection Good wave protection, very good ramp Good wave protection, excellent ramp Good wave protection, excellent ramp, congested on weekends Excellent ramp for Back Bay access Suitable only for very small boats Suitable only for very small boats Suitable only for very small boats due to depth of adjacent water Located at Cedar Lake Fish Camp Suitable only for very small boats Open to main channel, wakes and winds problematic Suitable only for very small boats Depth of access channel limits use to shallow-draft boats Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats, site is being improved Excellent ramp for Back Bay access, congested on weekends Brand new ramp, very good Good wave protection, excellent ramp, congested on weekends Ramp surface covered with sand, highway access problematic Ramp essentially unusable due to lack of onsite parking and heavy traffic

20 21 22 23

6.0 7.0 3.0 3.5

12 10 10 10

Approx. 28 44 1/4 acre sand lot No onsite parking

12 24 1/4 acre sand lot No onsite parking

Yes Yes No No

No No No No

No Yes Yes No

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Table 7.Location and Characteristics of Boat Ramps in the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Jackson County
Map No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Launch Name Public X X X X X X X X Private Street Location Brittany Rd., Southeast Side of Bridge Washington Ave., Northeast Side of Bridge Front Beach Drive at Ocean Springs Harbor Gulf Islands National Seashore Park Beachview Drive, Northwest Side of Bridge North End of Octavia Street Shepard State Park 1600 Indian Point Parkway Water Location St. Martin Bayou Old Fort Bayou Mississippi Sound Davis Bayou Simmons Bayou Graveline Bayou Pascagoula River Pascagoula River St. Martin Old Fort Bayou Ocean Springs Harbor Gulf Islands Seashore Blue Heron Marina Graveline Shepard State Park Boat Launch Indian Point Preserve Boat Launch Shimps Time-Out Marina Paige Bayou Marina San Juan Fishing Camp John's Bayou Marina Poticaw Fishing Camp Pascagoula River Game Management Headquarters Launch Cumbest Bluff Boat Launch Riverbend RV Resort The Boat Rental I-10 Boat Launch Riverfront Boat Launch Choctaw Marina Spanish Fort Boat Launch Latitude Longitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) (Deg. Min. Sec.) 30 26 01.4 88 52 50.3 30 25 10.8 30 24 12.7 30 23 45.4 30 22 27.6 30 21 45.9 30 22 22.1 30 24 25.6 88 49 42.8 88 49 25.2 88 47 36.0 88 45 36.8 88 41 41.2 88 37 36.5 88 37 42.9 No. of Ramps 1 2 8 2 1 1 1 2 Slope (%) Ramp Surface 9 11 10 16 16 7 12 8 Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete

9 10 11 12 13 14

X X X X X X

700 Roy's Road Rouse's Marina Road Johns Bayou Road John's Bayou Marina Road Poticaw Landing Road Vancleave-Wade Road

Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River

30 25 22.7 30 29 11.1 30 29 32.9 30 29 55.7 30 30 45.8 30 38 01.4

88 37 16.8 88 39 42.5 88 38 30.4 88 38 31.3 88 37 07.5 88 35 55.5

1 2 1 1 1 1 8 10 10 15 15

Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

X X X X X X X

Cumbest Bluff Road 10707 Hwy. 613 Frank Griffin Road Frank Griffin Road McInnis Avenue 3301 Hemlock Avenue Hickory Street

Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Escatawpa River Pascagoula River Pascagoula River

30 35 04.7 30 28 50.1 30 26 37.1 30 26 16.7 30 24 50.5 30 24 00.6 30 22 49.8

88 34 11.0 88 33 45.0 88 32 59.1 88 33 19.1 88 32 14.0 88 33 19.1 88 33 22.1

1 1 1 1 2 1 1

20 10 15 10 8 12 5

Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete

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Table 7.
Map No. 22 23 24

Cont.
Public X X X Private Street Location Pascagoula River Park Adjacent to Pascagoula River Park Beach Boulevard Water Location Pascagoula River Pascagoula River Mississippi Sound Latitude Longitude (Deg. Min. Sec.) (Deg. Min. Sec.) 30 22 32.7 88 33 55.7 30 22 28.2 30 20 42.0 88 34 07.3 88 33 45.0 No. of Ramps 1 3 4 Slope (%) Ramp Surface 6 5 5 Concrete Concrete Concrete

Launch Name

25 26 27

28 29 30 31

Pascagoula River Park Boat Launch Jaycee Boat Launch Old Coast Guard Station Boat Launch Hwy 63 Boat Launch Bayou Cassotte Boat Launch Shingle Mill Landing Boat Launch Bayou Cumbest Boat Launch Point O'Pines Fish Camp Bayou Heron Boat Launch-A Bayou Heron Boat Launch-B

X X X

Cowart Street Ladnier Avenue 6105 Shingle Mill Landing Road

Escatawpa River Bayou Cassotte Escatawpa River

30 22 19.6 30 21 09.0 30 25 53.9

88 31 14.5 88 30 31.3 88 27 52.1

2 2 2

8 8 15

Concrete Concrete Concrete

X X X X

Bayou Cumbest Road Grand Bature Road Bayou Heron Road Bayou Heron Road

Bayou Cumbest Bang's Lake Bayou Heron Bayou Heron

30 23 20.4 30 23 04.5 30 24 45.0 30 24 47.0

88 26 57.6 88 26 22.9 88 24 14.8 88 24 12.4

1 2 1 1

12 11 10 10

Concrete Sand/Gravel Sand/Gravel Sand/Gravel

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Table 7.Cont.
Map No. Launch Name Water Depth Charted Depth at Launch of Adjacent (ft.) Waterbody (ft.) 1 St. Martin 2.0 2 Trailer Car Parking Lighted? Comfort Trash Comments Parking Spaces Facilities? Receptacles? Spaces 1.5 acre 1.5 acre Yes No Yes Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats sand/gravel lot sand/gravel lot Approx. 15 Approx. 10 Yes No Yes Strong lateral tidal current makes launching/retrieving difficult Approx. 35 Approx. 25 Yes Yes Yes Good wave protection, excellent ramp, congested on weekends 12 Approx. 6 Approx. 6 Approx. 6 10 Approx. 4 Approx. 6 Approx. 6 No Yes No Yes No No No Inside office Inside office Inside office Inside store Inside office Inside store Inside office Inside office Yes Yes Yes Yes Suitable only for very small boats, park closes at 10:00 p.m. except for registered campers Suitable only for small boats due to steep ramp, limited maneuvering room and water depth Depth of access channel limits use to shallow-draft boats Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats

2 3 4 5 6 7

9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Old Fort Bayou Ocean Springs Harbor Gulf Islands Seashore Blue Heron Marina Graveline Shepard State Park Boat Launch Indian Point Preserve Boat Launch Shimps TimeOut Marina Paige Bayou Marina San Juan Fishing Camp John's Bayou Marina Poticaw Fishing Camp Pascagoula River Game Management Headquarters Launch Cumbest Bluff Boat Launch Riverbend RV Resort The Boat Rental I-10 Boat Launch Riverfront Boat Launch Choctaw Marina Spanish Fort Boat Launch

6.0 4.5 4.0 5.0 4.0 2.0

7 10 3 3 5 3

4.0

Not Charted

Approx. 15

Approx. 15

Yes

Yes

Pay park entrance fee, fishing pier available

2.0 6.1 3.0 5.5 2.0 3.5

Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted

Approx. 10 Approx. 20 Approx. 6 Approx. 12 Approx. 15 Approx. 20

Approx. 10 Approx. 20 Approx. 4 Approx. 6 Approx. 10 Approx. 10

Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Marina slips available Marina slips available Marina slips available Marina slips available For members only, visitors must check in and out, marina slips available Steep, long and narrow ramp

4.0 6.3 6.0 4.2 5.7 6.0 3.0

Not Charted Not Charted Not Charted 9 19 Not Charted 8

Approx. 15 Approx. 15 Approx. 15 Approx. 24 12 Approx. 15 Approx. 10

Approx. 5 Approx. 15 Approx. 5 Approx. 12 6 Approx. 10 Approx. 5

Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

No Inside store Inside store No Inside store Inside office No

No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area Marina slips available

Handicapped parking, trans-continental cable crossing

Marina slips available Pier closes and gates closed at sundown

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Table 7.

Cont.

Map No. Launch Name Water Depth Charted Depth Trailer Car Parking Lighted? Comfort Trash Comments at Launch of Adjacent Parking Spaces Facilities? Receptacles? (ft.) Waterbody (ft.) Spaces 22 Pascagoula 4.2 13 .5 acre .5 acre Yes Yes Yes Fishing pier available, near Pascagoula River drawbridge River Park sand/gravel lot sand/gravel Boat Launch lot 23 Jaycee Boat 7.2 3 Approx. 20 Approx. 15 Yes Inside store Yes Near Pascagoula River drawbridge Launch 24 Old Coast 4.5 6 Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Yes No Yes Fishing piers available, handicapped parking Guard Station Boat Launch 25 Hwy 63 Boat 6.1 12 Approx. 12 Approx. 15 No No No Launch 26 Bayou 7.4 26 Approx. 15 Approx. 5 Yes Inside store Yes Fishing pier available Cassotte Boat Launch 27 Shingle Mill 6.0 Not Charted Approx. 50 Approx. 50 Yes Inside store Yes Landing Boat Launch 28 Bayou 3.0 3 Approx. 10 Approx. 10 Yes Inside store Yes Near Port of Pascagoula Cumbest Boat Launch 29 Point O'Pines 5.0 3 Approx. 50 Approx. 10 Yes Inside store Yes Fish Camp 30 Bayou Heron 3.0 Not Charted Approx. 10 Approx. 5 No No No Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats Boat Launch-A 31 Bayou Heron 3.0 Not Charted Approx. 15 Approx. 10 No No No Suitable only for small, shallow-draft boats Boat Launch-B

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-21-

Coastal Marinas CREC personnel designed a survey form for Mississippi coastal marinas (see appendices) and conducted the survey in late 1999. All prices given are based on 1999 seasonal rates. Not included were private yacht clubs which require memberships or residence within specific communities. Also not included are facilities located on military installations and available only to military personnel or dependents. These are not considered true public access facilities in the context of this report. Hancock County Marinas 1. Bea & Woodys Marina 16463 Hwy. 90, Pearlington, MS 39572 Phone: (228) 533-0006

Located on Cowan Bayou (30 14' 30"N./89 36' 20"W.) Room to tie alongside bulkhead for approximately 6 boats. Marina services include fuel/oil, restaurant, bait/tackle/fishing license, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities and a boat ramp. Slip utilities include 120 V. power. Rates are $30.00/month. 2. La France Fishing Camp 3200 Ansley Rd., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Phone: (228) 467-9180

Located on Campbell Inside Bayou (30 12' 28"N./89 29' 59"W.) Fifteen covered lift slips, 58 covered dry storage, RV parking. Wet slip rate $722/year, dry slip rate $465/year. Power (120 V. and water included in slip rental. Marina services include fuel/oil, groceries, hauling, bait & tackle, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities and a boat ramp. Caters primarily to smaller boats (<25'). 3. Bordages Marina 6149 Central Ave., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Phone: (228) 467-0650

Located on Bayou Caddy (30 14' 30"N./89 26' 29"W.) Forty-three wet slips and dry storage for 30 boats. Services include fuel/oil, charter fishing, snacks, hauling, bait & tackle, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities and a boat ramp. Power (120 V. only) and water included in slip rental fees. Fees are $80 per month for wet slips and $32 per month for dry storage. Caters primarily to smaller boats. 4. Bay Marina RV Park & Lodging 100 Bay Marina Dr., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Phone: (228) 466-4970

Located on Bay St. Louis (30 19' 25"N./89 22' 57"W.) Full-service marina with 85 wet slips and inside dry storage for 40 boats. Slip utilities are 30 amp. 120 V. and 50 amp. 240 V. -22-

power, water, cable TV, (telephone available). Water included with slip rental. Slip fees range from $4.00-$5.50/ft./month. Dry storage rates are $75.00/month. Six slips available for transients. Marina services include fuel/oil, on-site mechanic, sewage pump-out, restaurant, ships store, groceries, lodging, liveaboards, sport fishing, frozen bait, public restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities, fish cleaning facilities, and a boat ramp. 5. Casino Magic Marina 711 Casino Magic Dr., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Phone: (228) 467-9257 ext. 4802

Located on in basin on Bay St. Louis (30 20' 07"N./89 21' 24"W.) Twenty-five wet slips for boats to 40'. Limited dry land storage for vehicles on trailers in casino parking lot. Slip rates $3.00/ft./month w/30' minimum. Location adjacent to casino provides access to restrooms, restaurants. Slip utilities include 120 V. power and water included with rent.

Harrison County Marinas 1. Pelican Cove Marina 103 West Bayview St., Pass Christian, MS 39571 Phone: (228) 452-7390

Located on Bay St. Louis at Henderson Point (30 18' 30"N./89 17' 26"W.) This is a dry stack facility with capacity for 160 boats less than 25' and 30 boats between 26'-30'. Rates are based on rack storage length and range from $128.00/month for boats up to 18' to $225.00/month for boats up to 30'. Rates are payable three months in advance and a minimum one-year contract is required. Marina services include fuel/oil, boat and engine repair for tenants, ships store, sport fishing, bait & tackle, public restrooms and fish cleaning facilities for tenants. Marina operates at full capacity in peak season. 2. Peppers Discovery Bay 24616 Yacht Club Dr., Pass Christian, MS 39571 Phone: (228) 452-9441

Located on Bayou Portage (30 20' 49"N./89 15' 27"W.) Fifty slips available for boats up to 40' in length, three slips available for boats over 65'. Monthly slip rates are $2.50/ft. based on boat length. Two to three slips available for transients at a rate of $15/night. There is room for open dry land storage for 10-15 boats. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.) and water. Marina services include a restaurant, public restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities, and a boat ramp. Liveaboards are permitted. Due to somewhat difficult access from land, this facility appeals primarily to the boat owner who wants to get away from it all. 3. Pass Christian Harbor P.O. Box 368, Pass Christian, MS 39571 Phone: (228) 452-3315 -23-

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Located on Mississippi Sound (30 18' 43"N./89 14' 58"W.) Municipal marina owned by the City of Pass Christian. Services available include fuel/oil, boat rental/charter, sewage pumpout, sportfishing, bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, 4 boat ramps, parks and seafood dealers. Fifty slips for boats up to 25', 200 slips for boats 26'-39', 100 slips for boats 40'-65'. Note that there is a waiting list for slips in the 40'-65' range. Slip rates are $2.50/ft. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.) and water. Telephone is available at extra charge. Four slips are available for transients. 4. Long Beach Harbor P.O. Box 929 Long Beach, MS 39560 Phone: (228) 863-4795

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 20' 23"N./89 08' 22"W.) Municipal marina owned by the city of Long Beach. Services available include fuel/oil, boat rental/charter, sewage pump-out, full-scale grocery store, public restrooms, 3 boat ramps, harbor shop, 24 hour security, public fishing piers, and a privately-owned towing service. 232 slips of various sizes. Slip rental rates range from $2.00 to $4.00/ft. based on owners residence (Harrison County, state, out-of-state. Eight transient slips available for $10.00/day. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./20-30 amp.) and water. There is a waiting list for permanent slips. 5. Bert Jones Yacht Basin 400 20th Avenue P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39532 Phone: (228) 868-5713

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 21' 18"N./89 04' 53"W.) Municipal marina owned by the City of Gulfport. Services available include fuel/oil, charter fishing, sewage pump-out, restaurant, limited ships store, limited groceries, lodging, sportfishing, bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities, 8 boat ramps, 24-hour operation and security, continuous monitoring of VHF channel 16. Ten slips designated for boats up to 25', 181 slips for boats 26'-39', 90 slips for boats 40'-65' and 9 for boats over 65'. Slip rental rates are $2.50/ft. ($1.50/ft. for Gulfport residents). There are 15 transient slips available for $.50/ft./night. Slip utilities included with rental are power (120 V./30 amp. and 240 V./50 amp.) and water. This is a very popular marina with about 150 boats on the waiting list for slips of all sizes. 6. Rivers Bend Marina 1400 Mill Road Gulfport, MS 39507 Phone: (228) 896-8300

Located on Bernard Bayou (30 24' 32"N./89 02' 15"W.) Combination dry stack/wet slip marina. Dry stack storage for 60 boats up to 25' in length at $5.50/ft./month. Eighteen wet slips for boats up to 40'. Slip rates are $25.00/day, $50.00/week, and $100.00/month. Slip utilities included with rental are power (120 V./30 amp.) and water. Marine services include fuel/oil, -25-

boat/engine repair, boat/engine sales, ships store, hauling to 38'. Planned expansions include bait/tackle/license sales, public restrooms, shower facilities, and laundry facilities.

7.

Kremer Marine, Inc. 1408 Cowan Road Gulfport, MS 39507 Phone: (228) 896-1629

Located on Bernard Bayou (30 24' 20"N./89 01' 38"W.) Marina services include boat/engine repair, boat/engine sales, ships store, liveaboards, hauling, and bait/tackle/license sales. Ten slips for boats up to 40', 36 slips for boats 40'-65' and 12 slips for boats over 65'. Slip fees average $100.00 per month. Slip utilities include power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.), water, telephone and cable TV. Only water is included with slip rental. 8. DIberville Marina P.O. Box 6327 DIberville, MS 39532 Phone: (228) 392-2310

Located on Back Bay of Biloxi (30 25' 28"N./88 53' 38"W.) Sixteen slips for boats up to 40' in length. Slip rentals are $60.00/month minimum (boats over 30' pay $2.00 additional/ft.) Two transient slips available for boats under 35' at $15.00/day. Slip utilities include 120 V./30 amp. power and water. Only water is included with slip rental. Services include a sewage pumpout, fish cleaning facilities and two boat ramps. 9. President Broadwater Marina 2110 West Beach Boulevard Biloxi, MS 39531 Phone: (228) 385-4097 (800) 647-3964

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 23' 21"N./88 57' 51"W.) Full-service casino resort marina offers fuel/oil, charter boats, sewage pump-out, restaurant, groceries, lodging, liveaboards, sportfishing, public restrooms, shower facilities, and laundry facilities. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.) and water. Telephone and cable TV are also available at extra charge. Marina has 27 slips for boats up to 25', 30 slips for boats 26'-39', 55 slips for boats 40'-65', and 6 slips for boats larger than 65'. Most of the slips are covered, so the marina appeals primarily to power boats. There is a waiting list of 75 boats for slips at this facility with most demand coming from the 40'-65' sector. Ten to twelve transient slips are available at $1.25/ft./night. Other slip fees range from $8.00/ft./month in the winter to $10.00/ft./month in the summer. A limited number of permanent slips are offered at $6.50/ft./month.

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10.

Beau Rivage Marina 875 Beach Boulevard Biloxi, MS 39530 Phone: (228) 386-7580

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 23' 34"N./88 53' 39"W.) Full-service casino resort marina offers fuel/oil, boat rental/charter, sewage pump-out, restaurant, lodging, sportfishing, public restrooms, shower facilities, fish cleaning facilities, and laundry facilities. Forty slips will accommodate boats up to 100' in length. There is currently a waiting list for 65' slips. Slip utilities included with rent are power (240-208 volts/30-50-100 amps.), water, telephone and cable TV. The marina caters to transients and tries to keep 20 slips available at $2.50/ft./night. Monthly rates are based on slip size and are currently $500.00 for a 50' slip, $720.00 for a 65' slip and $1,500.00 for a 100' slip. This is an upscale facility targeting larger vessels. 11. Biloxi Small Craft Harbor P.O. Box 1908 Biloxi, MS 39533 Phone: (228) 374-6600

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 23' 31"N./88 53' 05"W.) Full-service municipal owned by the City of Biloxi. Services include fuel/oil, boat rental/charter, sewage pump-out, restaurant, ships store, liveaboards, sportfishing bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, shower facilities, one boat ramp, and a 1-4 ton hoist. Marina is fully utilized with over 200 boats on the waiting list for permanent slips. Ten slips are available for transients at $.50/ft./night. Monthly slip rental rates are $2.50/ft. There are 14 slips for boats up to 25', 34 slips for boats 26'-39' and 103 slips for boats 40'-65'. Power (125 V./30-50 amp. and 250 V./50-100 amp.), water, telephone and cable TV are all available slip utilities. Only water is included in the slip rental fee. 12. Bay Point High & Dry 165 5th Street Biloxi, MS 39530 Phone: (228) 374-7766

Located at the entrance of Back Bay of Biloxi (30 24' 04"N./88 51' 33"W.) This is primarily a dry-stack facility with 100' feet of dock space used for transient boats ($1.00/ft./day). Dry stack capacity for boats under 25' is 110 boats. Monthly dry-stack storage are $6.00/ft. based on the size of the boat. Dockside utilities included with rent for transients are power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.) and water. Marine services include fuel/oil, boat/engine repair, boat rental/charter, used boat broker, public restrooms, and fish cleaning facilities. A restaurant, ships store, groceries, and lodging are all available nearby.

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13.

Point Cadet Marina P.O. Box 1908 Biloxi, MS 39533 Phone: (228) 374-6600

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 23' 23"N./88 51' 28"W.) Full-service municipal marina owned by the City of Biloxi. Services include fuel/oil, boat rental/charter, sewage pumpout, restaurant, ships store, lodging, liveaboards, sportfishing bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities, and fish cleaning facilities. Marina is fully utilized with over 200 boats on the waiting list for permanent slips. Twenty slips are available for transients at $.50/ft./night. Monthly slip rental rates are $3.00/ft. There are 47 slips for boats up to 25', 126 slips for boats 26'-39' and 115 slips for boats 40'-65', and 16 slips for boats larger than 65'. Power (125 V./30-50 amp. and 250 V./50-100 amp.), water, telephone and cable TV are all available slip utilities but only water is included in the slip rental fee.

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Jackson County Marinas 1. Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor 6912 North Washington Avenue Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Phone: (228) 872-5754

Located on Mississippi Sound (30 24' 13"N./88 49' 25"W.) Municipal marina services include sewage pump-out, liveaboards, sportfishing, fish cleaning facilities, and four boat ramps. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./30 amp.) and water. Slip rates are $3.50/ft./month. There are 178 slips available for boats of all sizes but boaters are advised that there is currently a two-year waiting list for permanent slips and no slips are available on a transient basis. 2. Harbor Pointe 2421 Beachview Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Phone: (228) 875-8801

Located on Simmons Bayou (30 22' 28"N./88 45' 37"W.) Marina has 110 slips for boats up to 40'. Boaters should be advised that shallow draft of Simmons Bayou (3' nominal) limits access to smaller or shallow-draft boats. Power (120 V./30 amp.) and water are included with slip rentals. Rates are $3.00/ft./month based on boat size. 3. Johns Bayou Marina Johns Bayou Marina Road Vancleave, MS 39565 Phone: (228) 826-4482

Located on the Pascagoula River (30 29' 56"N./88 38' 31"W.) Upriver location caters primarily to small boats. Marina services include fuel/oil, bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, and one boat ramp. There are 50 slips for boats up to 25' in length. Dockside power is 120 V./20 amp. The is off-season dry storage capacity for 10 boats ($35$40/month). Slip rates average $25-$30/month. 4. Paige Bayou Marina Rouses Marina Road Vancleave, MS 39565 Phone: (228) 826-4444

Located on the Pascagoula River (30 29' 11"N./88 38' 42"W.) Upriver location caters primarily to small boats. Marina services include fuel/oil, sewage pump-out, groceries, liveaboards, bait/tackle, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, and two boat ramps. The facility also rents out camper spots with full hook-ups for $150/month. There are 25 slips for boats up to 25' in length and 10 slips for boats 26'-39' in length. Dockside power (120 V./20 amp.) and water -30-

are included in slip rental. Other slip utilities available at extra charge are telephone and cable TV The is off-season dry storage capacity for 5 boats ($40-$45/month). Slip rates average $25$40/month for smaller boats and $75/month for large boats. 5. Mary Walker Marina 3308 Mary Walker Drive Gautier, MS 39553 Phone: (228) 497-3141

Located on Mary Walker Bayou just off the West Pascagoula River (30 23' 22"N./88 36' 56"W.) Marina services include fuel/oil, sewage pump-out, ships store, liveaboards, sportfishing, hauling for boats up to 27' in length, bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, two boat ramps and bottom painting. There are 30 slips for boats up to 25' in length, 40 slips for boats 26'-39', 30 slips for boats 40'-65' and dry stack storage for 60 boats up to 27' in length. Three slips are available for transients at $.50/ft./night. Permanent slip rentals range from $65$175/month based on the slip size. Water is provided but slip renters must arrange for any additional utilities individually. There is a waiting list for this facility as it operates at capacity year-round. 6. Tuceis Fishing Camp 3300 Oak Street Gautier, MS 39553 Phone: (228) 497-6743

Located on the Pascagoula River (30 23' 21"N./88 36' 45"N.) Marina services include fuel/oil, sewage pump-out, lodging, liveaboards. bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, laundry facilities, two boat ramps and 20 camper hook-ups. Four slips are available for transients at $5.00/day. There are 28 permanent slips for boats up to 40'. Slip rentals range from $100/month for smaller boats up to $3.75/ft./month for boats over 28' with a one-year lease. Slip utilities include power (120 V./30 amp. and 220 V./50 amp.) and water (water is included in rent). There is outside dry storage for 28 boats in the 30' range for $100/month. 7. Choctaw Marina 3301 Hemlock Avenue Moss Point, MS 39563 Phone: (228) 475-6100

Located on the Pascagoula River (30 24' 01"N./88 33' 19"W.) Marina services include fuel/oil, restaurant, hauling, bait/tackle/license, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, and two launch ramps. Forty slips are available for smaller boats only (<25'), about four of these are kept for daily rental. Slip rates are $5.00/day and $35.00/month.

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8.

Pascagoula Inner Harbor P.O. Drawer 908 Pascagoula, MS 39568 Phone: (228) 938-6600

Located on Mississippi Sound at the mouth of the Pascagoula River (30 20' 52"N./88 33' 26"W.) Municipal marina with sewage pump-out and a handicap accessible berth. Slip utilities included with rent are power (120 V./30 amp. and 240 V./50 amp.) and water. There are 60 slips for boats up to 40' in length and several moorings for larger boats. Rental rates are $2.50/ft./month. There is a 1-2 year waiting list for slips. One transient slip is kept available free of charge.

IV. Comparative Pricing Structure: CREC personnel conducted a survey of marinas located within the northern Gulf of Mexico boating region (east side of the Mississippi river through the Florida panhandle) to provide comparison slip rental rates. With the exception of marinas located in the New Orleans metropolitan area operated by the New Orleans Levee Board, all facilities in surrounding states are privately operated. Mississippi, with many public marinas, is at the very bottom of the price scale. For example, slip rental rates in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area of Alabama range from $8.00-$14.00/ft./month and do not include power. Public marinas in Louisiana have comparable or slightly higher rates than Mississippi but most of these facilities do not provide slip-side power. Private marina slip rates in Louisiana range from about $4.00-$8.00/ft./month and do not include power. Rates in the Florida panhandle range from $4.00-$14.00/ft./month (including all utilities). The difference in slip rental rates between public and private facilities in Mississippi and the difference between facilities in surrounding states and those in Mississippi is likely a contributing factor to the demand for dock space at Mississippi public marinas. Additionally, below-market pricing at public facilities in Mississippi makes it extremely difficult for potential private sector marina operators to compete in the Mississippi market. As an example of what essentially amounts to public subsidy of recreational boat ownership in Mississippi, consider the following scenario: A Gulfport resident can keep a 40' boat in the Bert Jones Yacht Basin for $60.00/month and use $40.00/month in power at no charge, essentially making the slip rental rate $20.00/month. It is even conceivable if the boat owner chooses to run the vessel air conditioner continuously, that the power bill for the slip paid by the marina could exceed the slip rental rate! Certainly, no privately owned facility could operate in this manner or they would soon be out of business. The Biloxi Port Commission has installed meters on the slips at its two marinas in order to address this issue, but other publicly-owned marinas along the coast from Pascagoula to Pass Christian continue to include power in the slip rental fee.

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V. Site Considerations and Recommendations for Future Recreational Boating Access: Site Selection Criteria Access to sheltered navigable water. Site should provide protection for moored vessels from waves, wakes and currents and be near deep water to minimize dredging requirements. Competing/compatible uses. Site should follow coastal wetlands use plan guidelines specified in the Mississippi Coastal Program, and be compatible with projected regional growth patterns. Upland property requirements, ownership and zoning should also be considered. Water-dependent uses should be categorized separately from water-enhanced uses. Road access. Site should be near existing highways and roads capable of handling traffic associated with facility construction and operation. Proximity to areas of highest recreational boating demand. Current needs and projected needs should be incorporated in facility design capacity. A phased approach to allow for future expansion should be considered. Environmental sensitivity. Sites selected for recreational boating access should avoid or minimize to the greatest extent possible adverse impacts on wetland and submerged aquatic vegetation as well as other important habitats such as oyster reefs. Dredge and fill requirements should be minimized by proper site selection/orientation. Clustering of facility infrastructure should be used to maximize green space, preserve and enhance viewsheds, and protect areas of natural and historical significance (e.g. live oak groves, shell middens).

Site Recommendations In reviewing the previous section on demand, it becomes readily apparent that the highest demand for additional recreational boating access is in Harrison County followed closely by Jackson County. Hancock County is unique among the coastal counties in that it has no publicly owned and operated marinas for recreational boaters at this time. The figures generated for boat ramp lane needs using the Florida method are somewhat misleading in that the figures represent what is needed for peak demand periods such as weekends and holidays during the boating season. These figures are also based on a zero wait time for ramp use. Further, because the model incorporates data for county boat registrations, there is no way to account for non-resident boater demand. This is particularly problematic for Hancock County where many Louisiana residents have summer homes and contribute significantly to facility demand during the boating season. A more realistic approach to avoid overbuilding of ramps might be to start with one quarter of the indicated lane needs for Harrison and Jackson counties and to double the amount indicated for Hancock county. These estimates are subjective -33-

and based on observations of existing ramp utilization along the coast during peak and non-peak periods. Following this line of reasoning, there is an immediate need for 6 ramp lanes in Hancock County, 10 in Harrison County and 9 in Jackson County. Hancock County has about 175 wet slips that can be classified as public (i.e. no club membership, military affiliation or subdivision residence is required for access). There are currently about 400 boats registered in Hancock County over 26' in length (these are boats that most probably would require wet slips as opposed to being stored on trailers). The current waiting list for slips in Hancock County is 15-20 boats which is about 10 percent of the existing capacity. Harrison County has about 1,630 public wet slips, 1,264 boats over 26' in length and a waiting list for wet slips of about 750 boats (46 percent of existing capacity). Jackson County has about 600 public wet slips, 915 boats over 26' in length and a waiting list for wet slips of about 300 boats (50 percent of existing capacity). Based on information generated during the CREC survey of Mississippi coastal recreational boating infrastructure, it appears that significant gains could be made by enhancing/expanding existing facilities. For example, many boat ramps have no designated parking areas, forcing boaters to park their vehicles on the roadside near the ramp. The addition of a simple parking lot could increase ramp capacity. Slips could be added to existing marinas in a seaward direction thus minimizing dredging requirements and negating the need for linear expansion along the shoreline. In general, unused sites along the Mississippi coast suitable for the development of water-dependent industry are scarce. In Harrison and Hancock counties, those sites that are available have become prohibitively expensive during the current era of dockside gaming development. This is particularly true in the City of Biloxi where an industry that is only water-dependent by legislation has displaced industries that are truly water-dependent. There are potential marina development sites that may be relatively free of environmental constraints, but would not be favored by the recreational boating community due to non-compatible nearby development and long travel times to reach offshore waters (e.g. Gulfport Lake). Given these realities and the above site selection criteria, suggested areas deemed suitable for new recreational boating infrastructure are presented in a general manner for each of the three coastal counties. Site-specific assessments are beyond the scope of this document, but examples are included in the appendices. Hancock County There is no apparent immediate need for recreational wet storage facilities, but new and/or expanded ramp facilities are needed. Hancock County has recently upgraded facilities for commercial boats in Bayou Caddy and has plans to expand the same facility to accommodate recreational boats in the future. This may not be the best course of action because of the relatively remote location and the fact that infrastructure needs of a working waterfront are not necessarily compatible with recreational facility development. Commercial boats need space to store and work on fishing gear, need unloading facilities such as conveyor belts and thaw tanks, and have operational support needs that exceed recreational boating requirements. Chief among the latter are fuel, ice and used oil disposal. On the other hand, recreational facilities usually put

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more emphasis on amenities such as parking, security and access to nearby restaurants and shopping. Two general areas in Hancock County that could be considered for additional recreational boating facility development are the Cedar Point area at the mouth of the Jordan River and the downtown Bay St. Louis waterfront. Downtown facilities could possibly tie into existing infrastructure such as fishing piers/jetties and the railroad bridge. Harrison County Ironically, the county with the greatest need for additional recreational boating access development has the fewest available spaces to develop. This is particularly true in Biloxi where sites zoned and legal for dockside gaming development have essentially put waterfront property out of the market for all other purposes. The two best ways for Harrison County to achieve additional recreational boating capacity are through the expansion of existing facilities and requiring any new casino development to provide public boating access facilities as an offset to coastal impacts on water-dependent industry. There is precedent for requiring this type of gaming development mitigation. Grand Casino in Gulfport built new docks for commercial vessels displaced by casino development in Gulfport Harbor. Other sites that may bear closer examination in Harrison County are the Clay Point area in Biloxi, and Shipyard Point in DIberville. A private developer is currently proposing to build a 102-slip recreational marina in the Clay Point area. In general, any new development in the Back Bay of Biloxi should be sited to the east of the Popps Ferry bridge in order to minimize conflicts between boat and vehicle traffic caused by bridge openings for sailboats and larger power vessels. There has been some interest recently in developing new recreational boating access sites along the Harrison County sand beach. Because of the non-protected nature of these sites and existing shallow water conditions, these facilities will be costly to develop and maintain (see appendices). Jackson County Jackson County voters decided not to support gaming development within their county. As a result, development of commercial and industrial waterfront for water-dependent use is still feasible in many areas. In addition, the relative lack of municipal and county owned wet slips has caused Jackson County to be viewed more favorably than Harrison County by private-sector marina developers. Currently, private sector developers have tentative plans for three sites within Jackson County: 1) between the railroad and Old Highway 90 bridge in Ocean Springs at the mouth of Back Bay of Biloxi; 2) in Marsh Lake between Pascagoula River and West Pascagoula River; and 3) just north of Highway 90 on the east bank of the Pascagoula River. Work is currently underway to replace the Pascagoula River Highway 90 drawbridge with a high rise fixed span. This will be of great benefit to both vehicular traffic on Highway 90 and marine traffic using the busy Pascagoula River waterway. Another area in Jackson County suitable for recreational boating access development is along the Escatawpa River in Moss Point.

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VI. Summary: There is an immediate need for additional recreational boating access infrastructure on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The shortage of boat ramps and marina space will become more acute as the coastal population and per capita income of coast residents continue to increase in the future. Private sector development to meet the demands of Mississippi recreational boaters will likely not occur as long as public sector facilities continue to provide services at below-market prices. Waterfront property suitable for boating facility development is scarce due to competing uses for water-dependent property, environmental constraints, and the coastal regulatory/zoning regime. Currently, the most cost-effective means of meeting the demand for additional recreational boating capacity appears to be through the expansion/enhancement of existing facilities and requiring new waterfront development to include boating access facilities where appropriate. If the primary emphasis is serving the needs of Mississippi boaters, all public marinas should consider adopting the tiered-fee mechanism which is already in place at some facilities. Under this scheme, non-resident boaters pay a higher fee for slip rentals which effectively increases space available for residents. Finally, some of the needed expansion at public facilities could be funded by slip fee increases more in line with the regional average.

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References Antonini, G. A., F. Bell, E. Kampert, C. Sidman, R. Swett, and H. Tupper. 1997. Planning for Public Access: A Geographic Information Systems Approach to Evaluate Site Suitability for Future Marinas, Ramps and Docks. Technical Paper - 87. Florida Sea Grant College Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Bell, F. W., 1995. Estimation of the Present and Projected Demand and Supply of Boat Ramps for Floridas Coastal Regions and Counties. Technical Paper - 77. Florida Sea Grant College Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Gulf South Economic Research Center, 1998. (personal communication). Demographic Data for Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties in Mississippi. Henning, B. R., 1998. Louisiana Marina Directory - Fourth Edition. Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Lipton, D. W., and S. Miller., 1995. Recreational Boating in Maryland - An Economic Impact Study. Publication No. UM-SG-MAP-95-02, Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program, College Park, Maryland. Mississippi Boat and Water Safety Commission. 1999. Summary Report of Boating Certificates Issued. Jackson, Mississippi. Mississippi Department of Wildlife Conservation Bureau of Marine Resources, 1988. Mississippi Coastal Program. Biloxi, Mississippi. Pomeroy, R. S., 1987. Economic Analysis of Coastal Marinas in South Carolina. South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Working Paper Series. Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, Clemson University. Ramsey, C.G., and H.R. Sleeper. 1994. Architectural Graphic Standards, Ninth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, New York Sand Beach Planning Team, 1986. Master Plan for Shorefront Protection and Utilization Hancock County, Mississippi. Long Beach, Mississippi. Smith, V. K., 1989. Taking Stock of Progress with Travel Cost Recreation Demand Methods: Theory and Implementation. Marine Resources Economics, Vol. 6, pp. 279-310. Talhelm, D. R., 1999. Marina Economics 101. Marina Dock Age, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 38-40.

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Appendices I. Coastal Boat Launch Assessment Form II. Mississippi Coastal Marina Survey III. Assessment of Iberville Drive Boat Launch Facility IV. Courthouse Road/Ken Combs Pier Boat Launch Renovation

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Appendix I. Coastal Boat Launch Assessment Form Launch Site Name:______________________________________Date:___________ County: Hancock Harrison Jackson

Latitude:________________Longitude:_______________ Ownership: Public Private Yes No

If privately owned: launch fee? Number of ramps:__________

Slope of ramp(s)______% ______degrees Ramp surface:_____________ Depth of water at end of ramp(s):______ft. Charted depth of adjacent water body:________ft. Are there loading/unloading facilities to ease congestion? Number of trailer parking spaces:_______ Number of car parking spaces:_________ Parking are surface: asphalt Comfort facilities? Is the are lighted? Yes Yes concrete No No shell sand other:____________ Yes No

If yes, describe:____________________________ If yes, describe:____________________________ If yes, describe:______________________

Are there trash receptacles? Yes No

Comments: (protected from waves/currents? other boat traffic? adequate signage on water/land? etc.)

Appendix II. MISSISSIPPI COASTAL MARINA SURVEY 1. Name of Marina _________________________________________________ Contact Person _________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ County _______________________ Phone ____________________________ Water Location __________________________________________________ Lat. __________________________ Long. ____________________________ Would you classify your marina as (may check more than one): a. Private/Members Only _____________ b. Private/Open to the Public ______________ c. Publicly Owned ___________________ How long has there been a marina at this site? __________________ How long have the present owners owned this marina? __________________ Do you consider your business a: marina _________ boatyard __________ combination _________ dry land marina _________ yacht club ________ other _________ Which services does your marina provide? fuel/oil __________ repair boats/engines ________________ boat rental/charter _________________ boat/engine sales __________________ sewage pump-out __________________ restaurant ________________ ships store _________________ groceries ________________ lodging _________________ liveaboards _________________ sportfishing _________________ hauling __________________ bait/tackle/license ___________________ public restrooms ___________________ shower facilities ___________________ laundry facilities ____________________ fish cleaning facilities ___________________ boat ramp(s) (indicate number) ______________ other (please list) _____________________________________________ Which slip utilities does your marina provide? Power:_________ volts _________ amps; __________ volts _________ amps

2.

3. 4. 5.

6.

7.

Water ________ Telephone ________ Cable TV _________ Included with rent? Power ________ Water ________ Telephone _______ Cable TV ______ 8. 9. What is the dry land acreage of this marina? _______________________________

What is the capacity of this marina and how much of this capacity was utilized during the past year? Number % Utilized <25' 26-39' 40-65' >65' Peak Season Off Season slips _____ ______ ______ ______ __________ _________ dry stack _____ ______ ______ ______ __________ _________ 10. 11. What percentage of these boats are sail _______ and power _______?

Is there a waiting list for your marina? __________ (if yes please indicate number) <25' 26-39' 40-65' >65' slips _____ ______ ______ ______ dry stack _____ ______ ______ ______ 12. What is your off season (dry) boat storage capacity? Number % Utilized Average Length inside (not dry stack) _______ _________ _____________ outside _______ _________ _____________ 13.

Rates ___________ ___________

What is the marinas rate schedule for slip rentals (not including utilities)? Rate per foot (or slip size) daily _____________________________________________________ weekly _____________________________________________________ monthly _____________________________________________________ yearly/seasonal _____________________________________________________ permanent _____________________________________________________ 14. 15. 16. What is the marinas rate schedule for dry stack storage? (attach schedule) How many slips are available on a daily rental/transient basis? ____________ What are your major business problems? (rank by importance)

Appendix III.

Assessment of Iberville Drive Boat Launch Facility

Background and Project Description
The economic boom currently being experienced in coastal Mississippi has increased the usage and placed unprecedented demands on existing public, beach access facilities especially along the front beach in Harrison County. Population growth and increased visitation rates from outside the coastal area have caused existing access facilities to be overtaxed and currently insufficient to meet this demand. In one instance, surrounding development caused a traditionally much used public boat ramp to be virtually inaccessible (Oak Street). The Kuhn Street boat ramp has very limited parking and problematic access to/from busy Highway 90. The only other boat launch facility with close access to the Mississippi Sound and barrier islands is located in the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor. This facility does have adequate parking, clear highway access, and is within an enclosed basin with close access to the west Biloxi channel. The Biloxi Harbor facility is currently the favored location for recreational boaters but cannot meet the demand, particularly on weekends and holiday periods. The three existing sites do have favorable aspects: 1) they are located within an enclosed basin and/or are sheltered by Deer Island and 2) they are located within close proximity to an existing navigational channel (the West Biloxi Channel). There are no other launching facilities along the front beach in Biloxi. Other launching facilities within Harrison County are located at the Gulfport, Long Beach and Pass Christian small craft harbors. The limited number of boat launch facilities along front beach in Biloxi restricts the ability of small boat owners to access many fishing and recreational locations within the Sound. In an effort to reconcile this problem, a public boat launch facility has been proposed for construction on the front beach at Iberville Drive in middle Biloxi. The proposed facility consists of a recreational boat launch ramp capable of launching/retrieving four boats at a time; a dredged, 40-foot wide, 1,545-foot long approach channel; 1,545 linear feet of concrete rubble jetty; car and trailer parking and access road development. The Mississippi State University/Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC) was asked to provide guidance related to a potential new public boat launch development site at Iberville Drive. Site specific plans for the Iberville Drive facility were not available. Consequently, some of the comments in this analysis are based on an earlier proposed plan for a facility which was to be placed at the foot of McDonnel Avenue.

Description of Study Area

The 26-mile, front beach along Harrison County is an artificial beach. It was originally constructed in 1951-1952 to provide protection and anchorage for the existing seawall. Sand used to create the beach was dredged from plentiful deposits located immediately offshore from the seawall. Constant erosion and the devastating effects of hurricanes required the beaches to be renourished in 1972-1973 and again in 1987-1988.

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The proposed project area is located on the artificial beach at Iberville Drive. The width of the beach at this location is approximately 240 feet. The beach sands are routinely groomed and graded resulting in a flat, straight and featureless morphology. The nearshore slope is very gentle, probably less than a three foot vertical drop over a horizontal distance of 1,300 feet. The length of the beach is interrupted with a series of shore-perpendicular storm drains that extend approximately 360 feet from Highway 90 into the Sound. These storm drains act as groins trapping sands from westward littoral drift resulting in a scallop-shaped shoreline. There is an existing, small parking bay between Highway 90 and the beach. To the west of the project site are commercial developments extending approximately 1.4 miles to the Broadwater Resort/President Casino complex. A continuous strand of sand beach approximately 195 feet wide exists on the south side of the commercial developments. To the east of the proposed project area is sand beach for approximately 2.4 miles to the I-110 interchange.

Physical Characteristics
Wind and Waves The annual dominant wind direction is from the easterly directions while winds from the north and south are frequent. In the spring, prevailing winds are southeast having a strong eastern component. The summer months show equal frequencies of east, southeast and southerly wind directions. The dominant spring and summer wind patterns result from the expansion of the Bermuda High causing prevalent southeast and easterly winds. The passage of continental cold fronts in the fall and winter follows the decline of the Bermuda High. At this time, the predominant winds come from the northern quadrants. East and northeast winds prevail in the fall while in the winter months winds from the north, northeast, east and southeast occur equally. The annual resultant wind direction is from the east. In both the fall and winter seasons the resultant wind direction is east-northeasterly while in the spring, east-southeasterly winds result and in the summer, southeast. There are no known, comprehensive wave studies or wave data bases available for the project area. Because the barrier islands provide protection to the mainland from storm generated waves in the Gulf of Mexico, wave height and direction along the front beach of Harrison County result from the prevailing wind direction and intensity. Limited fetch across the Mississippi Sound and the overall shallow water depths limit wave height. Waves breaking on the beach are commonly less than one foot, although, higher wave heights can occur. Waves can physically approach the front beach from the eastern, southern and western directions, however, the predominant wave approach is from the east and southeast. Waves approaching the beach from these directions set up westward flowing currents and result in westward drift of sediments. In addition to these macro climatic conditions, the sand beach/shore interface creates a diurnal land and sea breeze phenomenon. Differences in land and water temperatures create a landward breeze during daytime hours and a seaward flow during nighttime hours. This effect is most prevalent during the summer months corresponding with the peak of boating season.

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Tides Tides in the proposed project area are microtidal i.e., the tidal range is less than 6 ft. (2 m). However, both astronomical and meteorological tides influence the area. Astronomical tides are diurnal, i.e. usually one high and one low water per day with an average tidal range of approximately 2 ft. (0.6 m). Tidal range fluctuates seasonally with a minimal range of 0 to 1.5 ft (0.5 m) during the winter months and a maximum range of 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m) during the summer months. Because of the minimal tide range of the area, meteorological conditions often exert a strong influence on local tide elevations. Strong southerly winds push water into the area exaggerating and often maintaining high water conditions. Strong northerly winds push water out of the area exaggerating and maintaining low water conditions often resulting in the exposure of large sandy shoal areas in the nearshore. Sediments Sediment on the front beach was dredged from offshore borrow pits and deposited as part of an effort to protect the seawall and Highway 90. The sediment consists mostly of quartz sand and silt with little organic matter. To help determine if the sediments proposed to be dredged for construction of the boat launch facility can be used as renourishment sands on the downdrift beaches, eleven grab samples of sediment were collected along a transect at the project site. The transect trended perpendicular to shore, starting on the beach and continuing into the nearshore for 1,300 feet. Samples were taken every 200 feet or closer if deemed necessary. Standard sieve analysis was completed by Micro Methods, Inc. using one-phi mesh diameter intervals. Grain Size Analysis Graphs of the grain size analysis for each sample are shown in Figure 1. There is little variation in the size distribution of sediments collected from within the nearshore (samples 1300, 1100, 900, 700, 600, 500, 300 and 100 feet). In these samples, the modal grain size (the most frequently occurring grain diameter) is 2.75 phi (0.15 mm). This grain size comprises over 60 percent of each sample. Grain sizes of 1.75 phi (0.3 mm) and 3.75 phi (0.08 mm) comprise between 10 and 30 percent and 5 and 9 percent respectively. Each of the other grain sizes comprises less than 3 percent of the sample. Based on these data, these sediments are classified as fine and medium sands. The distribution of grain sizes in the swash line (foreshore) and two beach (berm) samples differ slightly from the samples collected in the nearshore. There are two modal grain sizes in the swash line sample, 0.75 and 1.75 phi (0.6 and 0.3 mm) with smaller percentages measured for the other grain sizes. This sediment is described more as medium and coarse sand. This is not surprising because higher energy levels exist in the foreshore and result in more efficient winnowing of fines from the sediment leaving the coarser sediment behind. The two beach samples differ slightly from each other. Beach #1 has a modal grain size of 1.75 phi (0.3 mm) with grain sizes on either side of the mode in excess of 10 percent. Beach #2 has two modal grain sizes 1.75 and 2.75 phi (0.3 and 0.15 mm) comprising over 85 percent of the sample. Sample beach #1 would tend to be classified more as medium sand while sample Beach #2 fine/medium sand. -3-

In general, the grain size distribution of the sediments collected along the transect are similar. As expected, the sediments in the nearshore are slightly finer than those on the beach. The fines of the beach sediment are winnowed out by wave action and transported aerially by winds leaving higher percentages of coarser sediment. While this cursory analysis tends to support the potential use of sediments dredged from the proposed access channel as renourishment sands for the beach, these data are for surface samples only. Vertical cores within the proposed project area were not collected and analyzed for this report. Core sample taken by the Mississippi Department of Geology and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in the Belle Fontaine area suggest that medium to fine sands might be found at sufficient depths to allow use of the dredged sediments for beach renourishment. It is important to understand how the sediment characteristics might change with depth. Sediment Transport In general, there are three forces that affect the transport of sediment on beaches: waves, wind and currents. The dominant forces along the Harrison County beaches include waves and winds. While nearshore currents also contribute to sand transport within the beach system, currents are minimal within the project area. Because the dominant wave direction is from the southeast (resulting from the prevailing winds) littoral drift processes cause alongshore sediment transport to be toward the west along the front beaches. Westward moving sediment is trapped on the east side of shore perpendicular structures e.g. harbor extensions and storm drain outfalls. Consequently, sediment accretes on the east side of structures, can no longer move toward the west and is, therefore, no longer available to replenish beaches on the downdrift side of structures. This results in erosion on the downdrift beaches of shore perpendicular structures. Wind also results in loss of sediment from the beach system. Winds carry sediment from the beaches where they become trapped by the stepped seawall. As the steps of the seawall become progressively filled, the seawall resembles more of a ramp which then facilitates the movement of sediment off the beach. The wind blown sediment accumulates on the parking bays, medians and roadway of Highway 90. This can represent a substantial amount of sediment lost from the system if during highway sediment removal work, the sediment is not returned to the beach. Sediment Budget Sediment losses from the Harrison County beaches result from longshore, offshore and airborne processes. The following estimates are from information obtained from the Harrison County Sand Beach Master Plan. Offshore Sediment Transport. The majority of offshore sediment transport occurs during high energy events where wave energy tends to remove sediments from the berm and deposit them onto offshore bars or beyond. Offshore sediment transport resulting from this type of wave action is the most difficult to quantify. It is estimated that annual offshore losses resulting from this type -4-

of transport amount to less than 0.25 cubic yards per front foot of beach or approximately 27,000 cubic yards per year. Airborne Sediment Transport. Airborne sediment transport results when winds are strong enough to carry sediment across the beach and ultimately over the seawall and out of the system. It is estimated that sediment losses resulting from this type of transport are on the order of 0.50 cubic yards per front foot of beach per year. This type of sediment transport is considered a loss to the system because sand removed from the parking bays and roadway is trucked to upland disposal sites and not returned to the beach. It is estimated that the airborne component of sediment transport is responsible for approximately one-half of the total sediment loss from the beach system. Longshore Sediment Transport. Longshore sediment transport within the proposed project area is from east to west. Sediment transport rates are dependent on wave height and wave approach angle. It has been shown that for an uninterrupted beach, (i.e. a beach with no perturbations such as storm drains or harbor extensions), with waves approaching at a 15 degree angle, the sediment transport rate increases rapidly with breaking wave height. Table 1 shows this relationship. Estimates of the effective wave height is on the order of one-half to one foot and therefore, the net annual longshore sediment transport without the effects of shore perpendicular structures would range between 38,000 and 216,000 cubic yards. However, the existence of shore perpendicular structures greatly reduces these estimates. With the existence of perpendicular interruptions along the Harrison County beaches, it is estimated that annual losses due to longshore sediment transport, primarily around the groin at Henderson Point, amount to approximately 20,000 cubic yards. The effects of this type of sediment transport near the proposed project site can be seen at each storm drain. Sediment is accumulating on the eastern side of the drains and erosion is occurring on the western (downdrift) side resulting in the scalloped shape of the shoreline. Table 1. Computations of Net Annual Longshore Sediment Transport, Q. Computations are based on Q = K H5/2 sin 2 and a wave angle of 15 degrees where K is a constant, H = breaking wave height and = angle of breaking wave (from Harrison County Sand Beach Master Plan 1986) Wave Height H (ft) 0.5 1.0 1.5 Annual Rate of Net Longshore Sediment Transport, Q, (yd3/yr) 38,000 216,000 596,000

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Site Development Considerations

Dredging/Maintenance Dredging Based on the plans provided for the McDonnel Avenue site, approximately 11,500 cubic yards of material will have to be dredged to develop a launch basin and access channel. Surface sediment samples obtained by CREC and analyzed by Micro Methods, Inc. show the predominance of fine to medium sands which are subject to littoral transport. Core samples should be obtained in order to determine if the dredged material at the designed depth (5' minimum) is suitable for deposition on the existing sand beach at the site. This could have a dramatic effect on dredging costs which might range from $5 to $15 per cubic yard. Consideration should also be given to timing the development to coincide with sand beach replenishment operations. The plans also show a 1,545 foot long jetty to be placed parallel with the channel an the east side. This will reduce the frequency of required maintenance dredging. A similar channel constructed perpendicular to the shoreline at the Broadwater Marina requires maintenance dredging every three years at an average cost of $100,000. During this time, the channel fills in reducing the desired maintenance depth by about four feet. However, it should be noted that the Broadwater channel is not protected by a jetty. Jetties and Breakwaters As noted above, the plans call for a jetty to protect the channel from the predominant direction of littoral sediment drift. However, other breakwaters will likely be required to reduce sedimentation from other directions and more importantly, protect boats from waves and wakes while they are being launched and retrieved. Existing launch sites along the entire front beach from Biloxi Bay to Bay St. Louis protect boats by being located within harbor basins or taking advantage of existing shelter (e.g. Deer Island). This aspect of development is critical to the use of any unprotected area of the front beach shoreline. The wave energy in these areas, particularly during the times of strong afternoon sea breezes, is strong enough to make launching and retrieving boats problematic at best and could cause boat, trailer and vehicle damage at worst. The site as now configured is susceptible to southerly and westerly winds. Developers should plan on approximately 1,500 additional feet of breakwater at this site configured in a fashion to protect the site from wave energy while maintaining water exchange through the artificial basin. U. S. Coast Guard regulations stipulate that these structures will have to be marked with daytime/nighttime navigational aids. Sand Bypass As noted earlier, the predominant direction of littoral sediment transport is from east to west along the front beach. As a result, any solid object built out into the water perpendicular to the beach will trap sediments on the east side and simultaneously cause erosion on the west or downcurrent side. This phenomenon is easily seen by examining storm drains or the east and west sides of harbor seawalls along the beachfront. Over time, this process can become severe enough to require sand bypass operations to protect the beach and businesses on the down-current side of the structure. Sand bypass is usually accomplished by means of hydraulic dredging. Therefore, site considerations must take into account what is located immediately adjacent to the proposed development. In this case, there is substantial commercial development along the beachfront to -6-

the west in the area of potential erosion and undeveloped beach to the east in the area of accumulation. Vehicle Access and Parking Ease of vehicle access and on-site parking for vehicles and vehicles with trailers are critical components of boat launch facility development. Indeed, lack of these components is what creates underutilization at the otherwise suitable sites at Oak Street and Kuhn Street. A sitespecific plan for the Iberville Drive site was not available, so facilities based on the McDonnel Avenue plan are addressed on the assumption that the Iberville Drive site will require the same amount and location of shoreside development associated with the boat ramp. The McDonnel plan specifies 42 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers and an additional 15 spaces for vehicles without trailers. Access to and from the site off of Highway 90 is provided by turning lanes and a southward extension of both Veterans Blvd. and McDonnel Avenue in a modified loop pattern. Vehicles entering or leaving the site have the option of using the existing traffic light at the Highway 90 intersection with Veterans Blvd. Due to the amount of traffic on Highway 90 and the inherent difficulties of driving a vehicle/trailer combination, this signal is essential for vehicles desiring to leave the facility towards the north and west and enter from the east or north. In transferring this design to the Iberville Drive site, the most obvious need is to install a traffic light at the intersection of the access road(s) and Highway 90. There would also need to be some modification of the roadway to provide for turning lanes depending on where the access road(s) is located. There appears to be sufficient room at the site to locate the proposed parking facilities. Water Quality There is a potential for nonpoint source pollution to the waters at the site caused by vehicle crankcase drippings and bilge water discharge from boats. Adverse water quality impacts of this nature can be minimized by using permeable or semi-permeable material in parking areas and configuring jetties and breakwaters in a manner that facilitates water exchange through the basin. The closest oyster reef to the site is White House Reef which is located far enough away not to be impacted by boating activities but may be of some concern during dredging operations during the development phase of the facility. User Conflicts The proposed Iberville Drive site is currently served by a parking bay designed to facilitate access to the public beach for swimming, fishing, floundering, picnics and other forms of beach-related activity. The public beach users will be displaced by the transformation of this area into a boating access facility. However, there are more alternative beach sites than launch ramps available. The businesses and residences located on the north side of Highway 90 will experience impacts related to increased traffic congestion and alterations of the viewshed currently provided by the undeveloped beachfront at this location. The littoral rights of these property owners also may have to be considered depending on the specific location of the facility. Positive benefits will -7-

accrue to fishermen because the rock jetty and breakwaters will serve as an artificial reef which attracts and holds marine life. It may be possible to incorporate a mechanism for accommodating shore-based fishermen into the design of the facility. Cost Considerations Any boating access facility located along the unprotected front beach away from existing navigational channels is inherently going to be expensive due mainly to increased dredging and jetty/breakwater construction requirements. The largest expense is jetty and breakwater construction. For example, the current cost of a concrete rubble or rock jetty built by a commercial marine contractor ranges from $500 to $1,000 per linear foot ($100 per ton of material). Because this site will have to be developed to withstand high energy storm events, the cost will most likely tend toward the higher end of this range. At a cost of $800 per linear foot and the suggested requirement for 3,000 linear feet of jetties and breakwaters, this element of site development alone will cost $2.4 million. Dredging will add approximately $115,000 to the project costs. Other major costs will be parking lot and ramp construction and highway access modifications to provide turning lanes, access road(s) and a traffic light. These latter costs are particularly applicable to the Iberville Drive site and could be ameliorated by considering alternate locations near or at major north/south corridors with existing traffic controls.

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Figure 1. Grain Size Analysis - Iberville Beach

Sample - 1300 ft
Sample - 1100 ft

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

Percent Weight

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - 900 ft

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - 700 ft

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

Percent Weight

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - 600 ft

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - 500 ft

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

Percent Weight

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Grain Size - Phi

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Grain Size Analysis - Iberville Beach

Sample - 300 ft Sample - 100 ft

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

Percent Weight

Grain Size - Phi

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - Swash Line

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Sample - Beach #2 Sample - Beach #1

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percent Weight

Percent Weight

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

-1 -0.25 0.75 1.75 2.75 3.75 >3.75

Grain Size - Phi

Grain Size - Phi

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Appendix IV.

Courthouse Road/Ken Combs Pier Boat Launch Renovation

Prepared by: Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center 2710 Beach Blvd. Suite 1E Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 June 29, 1999

Courthouse Road/Ken Combs Pier Boat Launch Renovation Gulfport, Mississippi

Executive Summary
The economic boom currently being experienced in coastal Mississippi has increased the usage and placed unprecedented demands on existing public access facilities along the front beach in Harrison County. Population growth and increased visitation rates from outside the coastal area have caused the existing facilities to be overtaxed and are currently insufficient to meet this demand. In one effort to reconcile this problem, a public boat launch facility has been proposed for renovation on the front beach at Courthouse Road in Gulfport. The following summarizes site development considerations that are more fully described in the assessment report. A 1,150-foot long pier and jetty is located on the east side of the proposed facility which will help prevent filling of the proposed channel from the predominant east to west littoral transport of sediment. However, as proposed, the site is susceptible to southerly and westerly winds. As much as 560 additional feet of jetty may be required to reduce sedimentation from other directions but more importantly, to protect boats from waves and wakes while being launched and retrieved. Consideration should be given to placing other jetties along the south and west sides of the access channel to protect the site from wave energy while maintaining water exchange through the channel. Approximately 6,500 cubic yards of material will have to be dredged to develop the launch basin and access channel. Preliminary sediment sampling and analysis suggest that the dredged sediments may be suitable for use as renourishment sands on the existing beach; however, vertical cores should be collected to verify that sediment grain size at depth is suitable for beach sands. The suitability of dredged sediments for renourishment to the beach can have a dramatic effect on dredging costs which might range from $5 to $15 per cubic yard. Ease of vehicle access and on-site parking for vehicles and vehicles with trailers are critical components of boat launch facility development. Due to the amount of traffic on Highway 90 and the inherent difficulties of driving a vehicle/trailer combination, traffic signals and turn lanes are essential for vehicles desiring to leave the facility towards the north and west or to enter from the east or north. The existing facility has adequate traffic controls and room to develop designated boat trailer parking. There is a potential for adverse water quality impacts at the site caused by vehicle crankcase drippings and bilge water discharge from boats. These types of impacts can be minimized by using permeable or semi-permeable materials in parking areas and configuring jetties and breakwaters in a manner that facilitates water exchange through the basin. Public beach users will not be displaced by the development of this area into a boating access facility. Small boat and shore-based fisherman will benefit because the rock jetty and breakwaters will serve as an artificial reef which attracts and holds marine life. Any boat access facility located in an unprotected area of front beach away from existing navigational channels is inherently going to be expensive due mainly to dredging requirements and jetty construction. Costs to construct the jetty can range between $500 and $1,000 per linear foot. Because this site will have to be developed to withstand high energy storm events, the cost will most likely tend toward the higher end of this range. At a cost of $800 per linear foot, the jetty, as proposed, could cost approximately $448,000. Dredging will add approximately $65,000 to the project costs.

Courthouse Road/Ken Combs Pier Boat Launch Renovation Gulfport, Mississippi

Background and Project Description
The economic boom currently being experienced in coastal Mississippi has increased the usage and placed unprecedented demands on existing public recreational facilities, especially along the front beach in Harrison County. Population growth and increased visitation rates from outside the coastal area have caused existing access facilities to be overtaxed and are currently insufficient to meet this demand. One of the most pressing needs is additional recreational boating access facilities. Figure 1. shows the number of registered boats in seven coastal Mississippi counties. Figure 2. shows the relative demand on salt-water boating access in relation to total boat ownership. Particular attention should be given to the number of registered boats under 25 feet in length. These boats are typically stored and transported on trailers and require the use of a boat launching facility. There is an acute shortage of boat launching facilities in coastal Mississippi with direct access to the Mississippi Sound, the offshore barrier islands and the Gulf of Mexico.

Figure 1.

Coast Boat Registrations

14000 Number of Boats 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 <16
Harrison Hancock Jackson Pearl River Stone George Forrest

County 16 - 25 26 - 39 40 - 65 >65

Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 1 of 10

Figure 2.

Coastal Boat Use

14000 Number of Boats 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0
Harrison Hancock Jackson Pearl River Stone George Forrest

County Salt Water Fresh Water

As can be seen, the two counties with the highest rate of boat ownership and salt water use are Jackson and Harrison. Harrison County has had more of a problem in providing waterfront recreational access due to the tremendous amount of shoreside development associated with dockside gaming. The only boat launch facility with access to the Mississippi Sound in Gulfport is located within the Gulfport small craft harbor. The Gulfport small craft harbor facility has limited, unimproved car and trailer parking. It does have easy highway access and is protected within the enclosed harbor basin with close proximity to the Gulfport channel. Because it is the only launching facility in Gulfport with direct access to the Mississippi Sound, it frequently cannot accommodate the demand from recreational boaters, particularly on weekends and holiday periods. The lack of recreational boat launch facilities in Gulfport restricts the ability of small boat owners to utilize many fishing and recreational locations within the Sound. In an effort to reconcile this problem, the renovation of the existing but unuseable public boat launch facility at Courthouse Road in Gulfport has been proposed. It is anticipated that the proposed facility will consist of a recreational boat launch ramp capable of launching/retrieving four boats at a time and car and boat trailer parking. Access to this facility is from Hwy. 90 or Courthouse Road. Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 2 of 10

The Mississippi State University/Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC) was asked to provide an assessment of the feasibility of renovating the old launch facility at Courthouse Road. Specific site plans for this renovation were not available. Consequently, the comments and recommendations in this assessment are based on the assumption that the renovated project will closely mimic the original facility.

Description of Study Area

The project area is located on the artificial beach at Courthouse Road. Harrison Countys 26-mile artificial beach was originally constructed in 1951-1952 to provide protection and anchorage for the existing seawall. Sand used to create the beach was dredged from plentiful deposits located immediately offshore from the seawall. Constant erosion and the devastating effects of hurricanes required the beaches to be renourished in 1972-1973 and again in 1987-1988. The project site consists of an existing but unuseable, three-slot, boat ramp with remnant pilings that once supported finger piers protruding from the concrete. This ramp is oriented in a northeast-southwest direction. A concrete rubble jetty, approximately 300 feet long exists on the east side of the boat ramps and a wooden pier extends from the jetty about 850 additional feet into the Sound. This is referred to as the Ken Combs Pier. There is existing parking for cars only, a compact grassed area to the north of the boat ramps, a narrow fringe of marsh grasses adjacent to the ramps on the west side and a comfort station with beach showers and restroom facilities. The nearshore slope extending from the boat ramps is very gentle, with less than a three foot vertical drop over a horizontal distance of 1,300 feet. The length of the beach to the east and west of the existing facility is interrupted with a series of shore-perpendicular storm drains that extend approximately 360 feet from Highway 90 into the Sound. These storm drains act as groins trapping sands from westward littoral drift resulting in a scallop-shaped shoreline. To the west of the project site is sand beach extending approximately 2.5 miles to the Gulfport Harbor. To the east of the proposed project area is sand beach for approximately 5 miles to the President Casino/Broadwater Marina complex.

Physical Characteristics
Wind and Waves The annual dominant wind direction is from the easterly directions while winds from the north and south are frequent. In the spring, prevailing winds are southeast having a strong eastern component. The summer months show equal frequencies of east, southeast and southerly wind directions. The dominant spring and summer wind patterns result from the expansion of the Bermuda High causing prevalent southeast and easterly winds. The passage of continental cold fronts in the fall and winter follows the decline of the Bermuda High. At this time, the Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 3 of 10

predominant winds come from the northern quadrants. East and northeast winds prevail in the fall while in the winter months winds from the north, northeast, east and southeast occur equally. The annual resultant wind direction is from the east. In both the fall and winter seasons the resultant wind direction is east-northeasterly while in the spring, east-southeasterly winds result and in the summer, southeast. Weather station data indicate mean monthly surface winds are less than ten knots eighty percent of the time throughout the year. In addition to these macro climatic conditions, the sand beach/shore interface creates a diurnal land and sea breeze phenomenon. Differences in land and water temperatures create a landward breeze during daytime hours and a seaward flow during nighttime hours. The resultant winds along the immediate coast are often much stronger than those recorded at weather monitoring stations. This effect is most prevalent during the summer months corresponding with the peak of boating season and can create afternoon breezes in excess of 15-20 knots at the shoreline. There are no known, comprehensive wave studies or wave data bases available for the project area. Because the barrier islands provide protection to the mainland from storm generated waves in the Gulf of Mexico, wave height and direction along the front beach of Harrison County result from the prevailing wind direction and intensity. Limited fetch across the Mississippi Sound and the overall shallow water depths limit wave height. Waves breaking on the beach are commonly less than one foot, although, higher wave heights can occur. Waves can physically approach the front beach from the eastern, southern and western directions, however, the predominant wave approach is from the east and southeast. Waves approaching the beach from these directions set up westward flowing currents and result in westward drift of sediments. The project area is fairly well protected by the existing jetty from wind generated waves approaching from the east, southeast and southern directions. However, the jetty offers no protection from waves traveling from the southwesterly directions. These conditions are common during summer afternoons when the majority of boaters are returning from a day out on the water. Tides Tides in the proposed project area are microtidal i.e., the tidal range is less than 6 ft. (2 m). However, both astronomical and meteorological tides influence the area. Astronomical tides are diurnal, i.e. usually one high and one low water per day with an average tidal range of approximately 2 ft. (0.6 m). Tidal range fluctuates seasonally with a minimal range of 0 to 1.5 ft (0.5 m) during the winter months and a maximum range of 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m) during the summer months. Because of the minimal tide range of the area, meteorological conditions often exert a strong influence on local tide elevations. Strong southerly winds push water into the area exaggerating and often maintaining high water conditions. Strong northerly winds push water out of the area exaggerating and maintaining low water conditions often resulting in the exposure of large sandy shoal areas in the nearshore.

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Sediments Sediment all along the front beach was dredged from offshore borrow pits and deposited as part of an effort to protect the seawall and Highway 90. The sediment consists mostly of quartz sand and silt with little organic matter. Because the front beach renourishment project was completed in one effort with sediment dredged from the same sand deposit, it is assumed for purposes of this project that sediment samples taken along transects anywhere along the front beach would be comparable. Therefore, to help assess if the sediments that may be dredged for construction of the boat launch renovation can be used as potential renourishment sands on the downdrift beaches, grain size data from eleven sediment samples previously collected along a transect 6 miles to the east of the project site were used. The transect trended perpendicular to the shoreline, starting on the beach and continuing into the nearshore for 1,300 feet. Samples were taken every 200 feet or closer if deemed necessary. Standard sieve analysis was completed by Micro Methods, Inc. using one-phi mesh diameter intervals. Grain Size Analysis There is little variation in the size distribution of sediments collected from within the nearshore (samples 1300, 1100, 900, 700, 600, 500, 300 and 100 feet). In these samples, the modal grain size (the most frequently occurring grain diameter) is 2.75 phi (0.15 mm). This grain size comprises over 60 percent of each sample. Grain sizes of 1.75 phi (0.3 mm) and 3.75 phi (0.08 mm) comprise between 10 and 30 percent and 5 and 9 percent respectively. Each of the other grain sizes comprised less than 3 percent of the sample. The distribution of grain sizes in the swash line (foreshore) and two beach (berm) samples differed slightly from the samples collected in the nearshore. There were two modal grain sizes in the swash line sample, 0.75 and 1.75 phi (0.6 and 0.3 mm) with smaller percentages measured for the other grain sizes. This sediment is described more as medium and coarse sand. This is not surprising because higher energy levels exist in the foreshore and result in more efficient winnowing of fines from the sediment leaving the coarser sediment behind. Based on these data, these sediments are classified as fine and medium sands. In general, the grain size distribution of the sediments collected along the transect are similar. As expected, the sediments in the nearshore are slightly finer than those on the beach. The fines of the beach sediment are winnowed out by wave action and transported aerially by winds leaving higher percentages of coarser sediment. Sediment Transport In general, there are three forces that affect the transport of sediment on beaches: waves, wind and currents. The dominant forces along the Harrison County beaches include waves and winds. While nearshore currents also contribute to sand transport within the beach system, currents within the project site are interrupted by the jetty and are considered minimal or null. Because the dominant wave direction is from the southeast (resulting from the prevailing winds) littoral drift processes cause alongshore sediment transport to be toward the west along the front Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 5 of 10

beaches. Westward moving sediment is trapped on the east side of shore perpendicular structures e.g. the existing jetty. Consequently, sediment accretes on the east side of structures, can no longer move toward the west and is, therefore, no longer available to replenish beaches on the downdrift side of structures. This results in erosion on the downdrift beaches of shore perpendicular structures. Wind also results in loss of sediment from the beach system. Winds carry sediment from the beaches where they become trapped by the stepped seawall. As the steps of the seawall become progressively filled, the seawall resembles more of a ramp which then facilitates the movement of sediment off the beach. The wind blown sediment accumulates on the parking bays, medians and roadway of Highway 90. This can represent a substantial amount of sediment lost from the system if during highway sediment removal work, the sediment is not returned to the beach. While there is no sand beach directly shoreward of the existing facilities, there is sand beach on both the east and west sides. Sediment Budget Sediment losses from the Harrison County beaches result from longshore, offshore and airborne processes. The following estimates are from information obtained from the Harrison County Sand Beach Master Plan. Offshore Sediment Transport. The majority of offshore sediment transport occurs during high energy events where wave energy tends to remove sediments from the berm and deposit them onto offshore bars or beyond. Offshore sediment transport resulting from this type of wave action is the most difficult to quantify. It is estimated that annual offshore losses resulting from this type of transport amount to less than 0.25 cubic yards per front foot of beach or approximately 27,000 cubic yards per year. Airborne Sediment Transport. Airborne sediment transport results when winds are strong enough to carry sediment across the beach and ultimately over the seawall and out of the system. It is estimated that sediment losses resulting from this type of transport are on the order of 0.50 cubic yards per front foot of beach per year. This type of sediment transport is considered a loss to the system because sand removed from the parking bays and roadway is trucked to upland disposal sites and not returned to the beach. It is estimated that the airborne component of sediment transport is responsible for approximately one-half of the total sediment loss from the beach system. Longshore Sediment Transport. Longshore sediment transport within the proposed project area is from east to west. Sediment transport rates are dependent on wave height and wave approach angle. It has been shown that for an uninterrupted beach, (i.e. a beach with no perturbations such as storm drains or harbor extensions), with waves approaching at a 15 degree angle, the sediment transport rate increases rapidly with breaking wave height. Table 1. shows this relationship. Estimates of the effective wave height is on the order of one-half to one foot and therefore, the net annual longshore sediment transport without the effects of shore perpendicular structures would range between 38,000 and 216,000 cubic yards. However, the existence of shore Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 6 of 10

perpendicular structures greatly reduces these estimates. With the existence of perpendicular interruptions along the Harrison County beaches, it is estimated that annual losses due to longshore sediment transport, primarily around the groin at Henderson Point, amount to approximately 20,000 cubic yards. The effects of this type of sediment transport near the proposed project site can be seen at each storm drain. Sediment is accumulating on the eastern side of the drains and erosion is occurring on the western (downdrift) side resulting in the scalloped shape of the shoreline.

Table 1. Computations of Net Annual Longshore Sediment Transport, Q. * Wave Height H (ft) 0.5 1.0 1.5 Annual Rate of Net Longshore Sediment Transport, Q, (yd3/yr) 38,000 216,000 596,000

* Computations are based on Q = K H5/2 sin 2 and a wave angle of 15 degrees where K is a constant, H = breaking wave height and = angle of breaking wave (from Harrison County Sand Beach Master Plan 1986).

Figure 3.

Site Development Recommendations

No site design plans were available for review during this assessment. The site development considerations discussed in the next section are based on the existing site configuration shown in Figures 3 through 5. Incorporating the existing facilities and utilizing space previously developed minimizes construction and material costs, impacts to the environment and existing use of the facility. All

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Figure 4. elements of this design are schematic; all measurements and quantities are approximate. Final determinations can be made when engineered plans are available. The degraded boat launch ramp is of sufficient size to accommodate the anticipated demand without expansion into the adjacent marsh area. Upgrading this ramp would include placing a new concrete launch ramp capable of launching/retrieving three or four boats at a time and constructing finger piers appropriately to assist boaters while launching and retrieving their boats. An access channel from the open Sound to the boat launch area would have to be dredged. Based on access channel dimensions from a boat launch facility proposed along the front beach in Biloxi, it is suggested that the channel be dredged 40 feet wide and to a depth of 5 feet. Estimates indicate that the length of the channel would be approximately 1,200 feet. Figure 5. The existing jetty provides sufficient protection to the boaters from waves approaching from the east and southeasterly directions. Extending the jetty toward the southwest with a detached breakwater will add protection from the southerly wave approaches and help maintain water quality by allowing flow between the end of the existing jetty and the new breakwater. Estimates from aerial photography indicate that the detached breakwater would be approximately 260 feet long. It is also suggested that an additional detached breakwater (approximately 300 feet) be constructed on the other side of the dredged access channel with an approximate northwest-southeast orientation. This breakwater would prevent wave approach from the southwesterly directions common in the afternoons during the height of boating season.

Existing parking is designed for cars only and is adequate to provide access for the public to enjoy swimming, fishing, picnicking and other beach-related activities. There is currently no area Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 8 of 10

designed for car and trailer parking. A small grassed area with compacted substrate exists adjacent to the boat launch area. This location can be developed to provide car and trailer parking for users of the renovated boat launch. The area is approximately 17,000 square feet in size and would support the installation of about 25 vehicle/trailer combination parking spaces. In addition, it appears that the existing paved parking lot is not being fully utilized so that a portion of what is currently designated as car parking might be converted to car/trailer parking.

Site Development Considerations

Dredging/Maintenance Dredging Surface sediment samples obtained by CREC and analyzed by Micro Methods, Inc. show the predominance of fine to medium sands which are subject to littoral transport. Core samples should be obtained in order to determine if the dredged material at the designed depth (5' minimum) is suitable for deposition on the existing sand beach at the site. This could have a dramatic effect on dredging costs which might range from $5 to $15 per cubic yard. It is estimated that approximately 6,500 cubic yards of materials will have to be dredged from the access channel and launch basin. Consideration should also be given to timing the development to coincide with sand beach replenishment operations. A similar channel constructed perpendicular to the shoreline at the Broadwater Marina requires maintenance dredging every three years at an average cost of $100,000. During this time, the channel fills in reducing the desired maintenance depth by about four feet. However, it should be noted that the Broadwater channel is not protected by a jetty. Jetties and Breakwaters As noted above, the recommendations call for jetties to protect the channel from the predominant direction of littoral sediment drift, reduce sedimentation from other directions and more importantly, protect boats from waves and wakes while they are being launched and retrieved. Existing launch sites along the entire front beach from Biloxi Bay to Bay St. Louis protect boats by being located within harbor basins or taking advantage of existing shelter (e.g. Deer Island). This aspect of development is critical to the use of any unprotected area of the front beach shoreline. The wave energy in these areas, particularly during the times of strong afternoon sea breezes, is strong enough to make launching and retrieving boats problematic at best and could cause boat, trailer and vehicle damage at worst. The site as now configured is susceptible to southerly and westerly winds. Developers should plan on approximately 560 additional feet of breakwater at this site configured in a fashion to protect the site from wave energy while maintaining water exchange through the artificial basin. U. S. Coast Guard regulations stipulate that these structures will have to be marked with daytime/nighttime navigational aids. Vehicle Access and Parking Ease of vehicle access and on-site parking for vehicles and vehicles with trailers are critical components of boat launch facility development. Indeed, lack of these components is what Courthouse Road Boat Launch - Page 9 of 10

creates underutilization at the otherwise suitable sites at Oak Street and Kuhn Street in Biloxi. The existing traffic controls and parking lot at the Courthouse Road site are positive factors which should facilitate further development and expanded use of the facility, as well as reduce construction costs. Water Quality There is a potential for nonpoint source pollution to the waters at the site caused by vehicle crankcase drippings and bilge water discharge from boats. Adverse water quality impacts of this nature can be minimized by using permeable or semi-permeable material in parking areas and configuring jetties and breakwaters in a manner that facilitates water exchange through the basin. It is recommended that consideration be given to the use of permeable material such as gravel, flyash or shell as a paving material for the boat trailer parking area, and that the existing vegetative buffer along the adjacent shoreline be maintained. User Conflicts Positive benefits will accrue to fishermen because the rock jetty and breakwaters will serve as an artificial reef which attracts and holds marine life. It may be possible to incorporate a mechanism for accommodating shore-based fishermen into the design of the facility. It is suggested that some means of separating boaters from beach users on the west side of the facility be included in the development plans. This could possibly include a series of pilings with signs directing boaters to avoid the swimming area.

Cost Considerations Any boating access facility located along the unprotected front beach away from existing navigational channels is inherently going to be expensive due mainly to increased dredging and jetty/breakwater construction requirements. For example, the current cost of a concrete rubble or rock jetty built by a commercial marine contractor ranges from $500 to $1,000 per linear foot ($100 per ton of material). Because this site will have to be developed to withstand high energy storm events, the cost will most likely tend toward the higher end of this range. At a cost of $800 per linear foot and the suggested requirement for 560 linear feet of jetties and breakwaters, this element of site development alone will cost $448,000. Dredging will add approximately $65,000 to the project costs. Other costs will include ramp renovation and parking lot expansion. Renovating the Courthouse Road boat launch makes wise use of existing facilities and utilizes space previously developed. These actions substantially reduce construction and material costs and impacts to the environment.

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