History of GCBA
History of GCBA
The Greater Cleveland Boating Association was founded in 1946. Following are but a few of the most notable GCBA achievements.
1946 - GCBA conducted city-wide regattas that attracted
thousands of spectators to Cleveland's waterfront.
1952 - Construction of a divided freeway, the Marginal roadway
now known as the Shoreway proposed relocation of
Cleveland Builder's Supply would have destroyed
Forest City Yacht Club and Gordon Shore Boat Club.
GCBA caused CSBC to be located on the Cuyahoga
River and kept the boating facilities safe in their present
locations.
1953 - GCBA obtained 40,000 signatures on petitions asking for
small boating facilities in the Department of Port Control.
Cleveland constructed the first small boat launching ramps
for free public use at a cost of $600 each. They were
constructed at Wildwood Park, Gordon Park, East 49th, and
and Donald Gray Garden.
1954 - GCBA assisted Wildwood Yacht Club in obtaining a lease and
established its location at the foot of Neff Rd.
1957 - GCBA was instrumental in having weather conditions broadcast
along the south shore of Lake Erie.
60's - GCBA was continued to work in such areas as lease renewal.
GCBA provided representatives to speak against legislation
aimed at boaters.
1978 - Ohio was given stewardship of Cleveland's lakefront parks and
GCBA learned of ODNR's intention to assume control of
Cleveland's yachting and boating clubs. ODNR indicated that
private clubs would be pre-empted, become public marinas
and the docks would be allocated on an annual raffle system.
GCBA opposed this move and suceeded in obtaining fifteen-year
leases for all clubs in the Cleveland state park system.
1979 - GCBA caused a city ordinance to be passed prohibiting the use
of gill nets within a two mile limit of the shoreline. GCBA sent
representatives to meetings in Columbus which resulted in the
abolition of all gill nets in Ohio. GCBA also assisted in having
Ohio's Walleye fish declared a game fish, and as such, be
protected from commercial netters.
1982 - Ohio, in its rehabilitating plan for Wildwood Park, intended to
abolish the east small boat launching ramp. GCBA protested
and the State subsequently modified its plans and this ramp
is still in useful operation.
1983 - Edgewater Park boat ramps were about to be redesigned so
that several of the boat ramps would be lost. GCBA intervened
and Edgewater ramps are still intact. GCBA provided leadership
in motivating the construction of a breakwall at the mouth of
the Chagrin River.
1984 - ODNR planned to narrow the entrance into the Harbor at
Wildwood Park. GCBA recommended an offshore breakwall
instead and the State agreed.
1987 - GCBA formally created a Political Action Committee. They
successful opposed a plan by the State which would have
eliminated security fences, relocated boat storage and installed
a bike path through the clubs on the Cleveland waterfront.
1988 - GCBA collected 10,000 signatures on petitions supporting a ban
on phosphates in detergents in 35 counties in the Lake Erie
Basin. This grass roots effort resulted in passage of a bill which
was signed into law by Governor Celeste at Lakeside Yacht
Club.
1989 - GCBA conducted a public opinion poll to determine the need
for mandatory boat licensing.
1990 - GCBA opposed a new boater tax as unjust and recommended
immediate appeal.
1992 - Established a Joe Chase Memorial Benefit Fund. Recommended
voluntary boating education as opposed to mandatory operator's
licensing.
1993 - GCBA assisted in the repeal of the ship stations license fee for
marine radios.
1994 - GCBA received an award from the Nation Water Safety Congress
in appreciation of the organization's active leadership to
promote boating safety through its PAC.
1997-98 Succeeded in modifying the INS inspection program for small
boats returning from Canada. Thirteen videophones have
been installed along the Ohio lakefront.
Established a motto - GCBA the voice of the recreational
boater.
1999 - After four years of petitioning, the Ohio Legislature finally
increased the Gas Tax Revenue allocated to the Waterway
Safety Fund from 1/2% to 3/4%.
2000 - GCBA, in conjunction with BAO, successfully lobbied for an
increase in the Gas Tax allocated to the Waterway Safety
Fund. The increase, another 1/8%, is approximately $2 million.
2001 - Inducted five new clubs into GCBA, expanding both our size
and area.
2002 - GCBA is recognized nationally as the only recreational boating
association that institutes legislation thru Political activity.
2003 - The GCBA was invited by Mayor Jane Campbell to represent
the recreational boaters as a member of the Cleveland
Lakefront Advisory Board.
2004 - GCBA, along with the clubs and marinas along Cleveland's
lakefront, formed a new sub-committee to be known as
Recreational Boaters Protecting Cleveland's Waterfront.
2008 - GCBA petitions at Boat Shows to support the creation of a
national ballast water standard which would apply only to
commercial ships.
2010 - GCBA solocited petitions at the annual Boat Show to reject any
petitions for a waiver of the Clean Air Act to allow distribution of E-15
which caused damage to existing marine engines.
2012 - Provided testimony with the Ohio Enviromental Council in support of the
Great Lakes Compact.