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Authorities Look To Crack Down On Boaters Skirting Laws On Richardson Bay

RICHARDSON BAY (KPIX 5) -- Authorities around Richardson Bay in Marin County are looking to enforce a law requiring boaters to get permission to anchor out in the bay for more than 10 hours.

Clark Mason is relaxed about that possibility of a crackdown, but that is exactly what the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission is pushing for.

"Until something happens I'm going to dismiss them like I always have," Mason, who lives on Richardson Bay said.

Mason's mooring for the last 30 years is actually against state policy thanks to the Richardson Bay special area plan that's been around as long as Clark has.

In violation of that, the BCDC says there are more than 200 boats moored off the coast in Richardson Bay, with at least half of those are being lived on illegally - possibly more.

"The law says people should live on land. The bay should be used for other things, like recreation, commerce, not living on the bay," Adrienne Klein of BCDC said.

While the state agency sets the rules, the local Richardson Bay Regional Agency is in charge of implementing them, and it can't. Part of the funds needed for enforcement are stuck in Sausalito City Hall, and they're not having any part of it.

Sausalito has declined to augment the budgeting process to allow the planning process to get under way.

The Sausalito City Manager didn't return calls or emails for comment. But, the police in Sausalito say they are planning an enforcement of their own. Until then, folks like Clark are unconcerned, and the floating debate will continue

"Until I see someone hauled off to court, or their boat ripped off the bay, then I'll worry about it. Until then it's just more BS," Clark said.

 

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