The ASCE Marinas 2020 Task Committee has undertaken a revision of ASCE Manual 50: Report on Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors which is expected to be completed sometime in 2009.
Maintenance and construction of new harbor infrastructure such as breakwaters, dredging, piers and boat slips and launches have not kept up with increased demand for access to our nation’s oceans, lakes and rivers, said Task Committee Chair Fred Klancnik, P.E., F.ASCE, in a recent project update. According to Klancnik, this lack of infrastructure has created a demand for new small craft harbor and related waterfront facilities. Responding to that demand requires collaboration among a diverse group of individuals and often necessitates public-private partnerships to ensure that projects are completed.
The updated manual is expected to provide civil engineers with new guidelines for the planning, development and design of small craft harbors. It will be divided into four parts: planning, environmental and financial considerations; harbor entrance design and breakwaters; inner harbor structures; and, land-based support facilities. Klancnik said he hopes the manual will provide a logical, analytical planning process, provide approaches to funding and financing marinas and present trends in small-boat harbor development.
Upon completion, Klancnik wants this manual to be a resource for both civil engineers and the community at large. He said the manual is intended to fill the void of information on small-craft harbors. Most manuals, Klancnik said, have either addressed larger ports and harbors or haven’t thoroughly considered all of the physical, environmental and recreational issues that are part of small craft harbor development and maintenance.
The manual is expected to be presented to the COPRI Board of Governors for review by the end of 2008 and available to members in 2009. For more information, contact Fred at fred.klancnik@jjr-us.com.
