[Vision2020] Fwd: Fw: Kayak registration

[roger hayes]

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Vision 2020 readers:

I forward the following information because I believe it to be crucial=20=

to non-motorized recreational water users here in Idaho.  Further, I=20
oppose the law as it will add layers of bur to the state and will=20
accomplish little. Our state legislature is attempting to require=20
registration and fee payment for non-motorized water craft.  It is an=20
attempt to regulate use and collect a bit of revenue.  However, in the=20=

years I have been plying the lakes and rivers of Idaho, believe my=20
paddle boat has little impact on the water, facilities, and services=20
offered.  Additionally, I see a great number of boats on Coeur d'Alene,=20=

Pend Oreille, and Priest lakes with out of state registrations. Who=20
pays for that use? I feel canoes, and kayak enthusiasts  should be=20
encouraged rather than taxed/penalized.
I encourage everyone to contact our representatives and senators and=20
provide them with a "nay' to this nonsense.
Sincerely,

Roger Hayes
Moscow


>>
>>> Hello, everyone. I thought I sent my own story on this
>>> to you, but apparently it didn't reach you.
>>>
>>> I work as a legislative reporter here in the Capitol.
>>> I can't lobby on this bill, but I can tell you when it
>>> comes up before committees so anyone who would like to
>>> can testify.
>>>
>>> Here's what I wrote and sent on the AP wires on Jan.
>>> 7:
>>>
>>>
>>> ^Small boat owners targeted for new fee<
>>>
>>> =B6   COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) _ Every canoe, kayak and
>>> raft over 7 feet long would have to be registered with
>>> the state under a bill being proposed by the Kootenai
>>> County Sheriff's Department.
>>> =B6   The $13 registration fee would apply to any
>>> non-motorized vessel, including out-of-state paddlers.
>>> =B6   "They need to pay their own way," Kootenai County
>>> Sheriff Rocky Watson said about non-motorized boaters.
>>> "They are creating a need for services."
>>> =B6   Watson said a most search-and-rescue efforts are
>>> for whitewater rafters and kayakers who get in
>>> trouble.
>>> =B6   The bill is not sitting well with Idaho's river
>>> outfitters and retailers.
>>> =B6   Fran Tonsmeire, co-owner of Wilderness River
>>> Outfitter in Challis, said her family-owned business
>>> already pays enough user fees.
>>> =B6   "We wouldn't like it. Its just another red tape
>>> kind of thing, and we don't need any more regulations
>>> or paperwork," she said.
>>> =B6   Stan Kolby, co-owner of Idaho River Sports canoe
>>> and kayak shop in Boise, said the proposed law is
>>> misinformed about the sport.
>>> =B6   Many new kayak boats are built under the 7-foot
>>> length limit now, and shorter boats are often used in
>>> the roughest water.
>>> =B6   Also, dedicated paddlers often have multiple boats
>>> for different water conditions. Paying fees for each
>>> boat would have the effect of punishing people who are
>>> taking measures to avoid search and rescue operations
>>> by using the proper equipment.
>>> =B6   And, Kolby says, his business would be forced to
>>> pay more than $1,300 in fees just for the livery boats
>>> he rents to customers.
>>> =B6   "I understand search and rescue has to be funded.
>>> Sometimes thing happen beyond our control. But there
>>> must be other options or alternatives," he said.
>>> =B6   Idaho currently requires motorboat and sailboat
>>> owners to buy an annual registration, which costs $13
>>> for boats up to 12 feet. An additional $2 per foot is
>>> charged for longer boats.
>>> =B6   The Idaho Parks and Recreation Department
>>> estimates that there are more than 100,000
>>> non-motorized boaters in Idaho.
>>> =B6   Corby Christensen, the state's boating law
>>> administrator, thinks it's time for paddlers to pay bureaucracy
>>> their share.
>>> =B6   "It would help enhance the sport and help correct
>>> a lot of overcrowding problems we have," he said. Yet
>>> Christensen said his department isn't taking sides on
>>> the draft, just providing information.
>>> =B6   Kootenai County Waterways Director Kurtis Robinson
>>> sees the $13 charge more as a user fee than a
>>> registration fee.
>>> =B6   "I have two kayaks myself and I don't think it
>>> would bother me," he said. "You have to pay if you are
>>> going to play."
>
>

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Vision 2020 readers:


I forward the following information because I believe it to be crucial
to non-motorized recreational water users here in Idaho.  Further, I
oppose the law as it will add layers of bur to the state and will
accomplish little. Our state legislature is attempting to require
registration and fee payment for non-motorized water craft.  It is an
attempt to regulate use and collect a bit of revenue.  However, in the
years I have been plying the lakes and rivers of Idaho, believe my
paddle boat has little impact on the water, facilities, and services
offered.  Additionally, I see a great number of boats on Coeur
d'Alene, Pend Oreille, and Priest lakes with out of state
registrations. Who pays for that use? I feel canoes, and kayak
enthusiasts  should be encouraged rather than taxed/penalized.

I encourage everyone to contact our representatives and senators and
provide them with a "nay' to this nonsense.

Sincerely,


Roger Hayes

Moscow



<excerpt><excerpt>

<excerpt>Hello, everyone. I thought I sent my own story on this

to you, but apparently it didn't reach you.


I work as a legislative reporter here in the Capitol.

I can't lobby on this bill, but I can tell you when it

comes up before committees so anyone who would like to

can testify.


Here's what I wrote and sent on the AP wires on Jan.

7:



<bigger>^Small boat owners targeted for new fee<<</bigger>


=B6   COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) _ Every canoe, kayak and

raft over 7 feet long would have to be registered with

the state under a bill being proposed by the Kootenai

County Sheriff's Department.

=B6   The $13 registration fee would apply to any

non-motorized vessel, including out-of-state paddlers.

=B6   "They need to pay their own way," Kootenai County

Sheriff Rocky Watson said about non-motorized boaters.

"They are creating a need for services."

=B6   Watson said a most search-and-rescue efforts are

for whitewater rafters and kayakers who get in

trouble.

=B6   The bill is not sitting well with Idaho's river

outfitters and retailers.

=B6   Fran Tonsmeire, co-owner of Wilderness River

Outfitter in Challis, said her family-owned business

already pays enough user fees.

=B6   "We wouldn't like it. Its just another red tape

kind of thing, and we don't need any more regulations

or paperwork," she said.

=B6   Stan Kolby, co-owner of Idaho River Sports canoe

and kayak shop in Boise, said the proposed law is

misinformed about the sport.

=B6   Many new kayak boats are built under the 7-foot

length limit now, and shorter boats are often used in

the roughest water.

=B6   Also, dedicated paddlers often have multiple boats

for different water conditions. Paying fees for each

boat would have the effect of punishing people who are

taking measures to avoid search and rescue operations

by using the proper equipment.

=B6   And, Kolby says, his business would be forced to

pay more than $1,300 in fees just for the livery boats

he rents to customers.

=B6   "I understand search and rescue has to be funded.

Sometimes thing happen beyond our control. But there

must be other options or alternatives," he said.

=B6   Idaho currently requires motorboat and sailboat

owners to buy an annual registration, which costs $13

for boats up to 12 feet. An additional $2 per foot is

charged for longer boats.

=B6   The Idaho Parks and Recreation Department

estimates that there are more than 100,000

non-motorized boaters in Idaho.

=B6   Corby Christensen, the state's boating law

administrator, thinks it's time for paddlers to pay bureaucracy

their share.

=B6   "It would help enhance the sport and help correct

a lot of overcrowding problems we have," he said. Yet

Christensen said his department isn't taking sides on

the draft, just providing information.

=B6   Kootenai County Waterways Director Kurtis Robinson

sees the $13 charge more as a user fee than a

registration fee.

=B6   "I have two kayaks myself and I don't think it

would bother me," he said. "You have to pay if you are

going to play."

</excerpt></excerpt>


</excerpt>=

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