POLICY 21

WATER-DEPENDENT AND WATER-ENHANCED RECREATION WILL BE ENCOURAGED AND FACILITATED, AND WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER NON-WATER-RELATED USES ALONG THE COAST.

Explanation of Policy

Water-related recreation includes such obviously water-dependent activities as boating, swimming, and fishing, as well as certain activities which are enhanced by a coastal location and increase the general public's access to the coast such as pedestrian and bicycle trails, picnic areas, scenic overlooks and passive recreation areas that take advantage of coastal scenery.

Provided the development of water-related recreation is consistent with the preservation and enhancement of such important coastal resources as fish and wildlife habitats, aesthetically significant areas, historic and cultural resources, agriculture and significant mineral and fossil deposits, and provided demand exists, water-related recreation development is to be increased and such uses shall have a higher priority than any non-coastal dependent uses, including non-water-related recreation uses. In addition, water-dependent recreation uses shall have a higher priority over water-enhanced recreation use. Determining a priority among coastal dependent uses will require a case by case analysis.

Among priority areas for increasing water-related recreation opportunities are those areas where access to the recreation opportunities of the coast can be provided by new or existing public transportation services and those areas where the use of the shore is severely restricted by highways, railroads, industry, or other forms of existing intensive land use or development. The Department of State, working with the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and with local governments, will identify communities whose use of the shore has been so restricted and those sites shoreward of such developments which are suitable for recreation and can be made accessible. Priority shall be given to recreational development of such lands.

The siting or design of new public development in a manner which would result in a barrier to the recreational use of a major portion of a community's shore should be avoided as much as practicable.

Among the types of water-dependent recreation, provision of adequate boating services to meet future demand is to be encouraged by this program. The siting of boating facilities must be consistent with preservation and enhancement of other coastal resources and with their capacity to accommodate demand. The provision of new public boating facilities is essential in meeting this demand, but such public actions should avoid competition with private boating development. Boating facilities will, as appropriate, include parking, park-like surroundings, toilet facilities, and pumpout facilities. Harbors of Refuge are particularly needed along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. There is a need for a better locational pattern of boating facilities to correct problems of overused, insufficient, or improperly sited facilities.

Also to be encouraged is non-motorized recreation in the State's coastal area. Water-related off-road recreational vehicle use is an acceptable activity, provided no adverse environmental impacts occur. Where adverse environmental impact will occur, mitigating measures will be implemented, where practicable, to minimize such adverse impacts. If acceptable mitigation is not practicable, prohibition of the use by off-road recreational vehicles will be posted and enforced.