[Vision2020] Kayak Registration

[roger hayes]

Dan:

Thank you for responding.  However, I must disagree with you.  If I 
have to pay $13 to ply the waters of Idaho (and a few bucks is not the 
issue here), why should a motor boat pay the same fee?  Non-motorized 
boats don't need loading ramps, all the docks, and the Sheriff's patrol 
to pass out speeding and reckless boating tickets. But also, why do out 
of state boats use our waters for free?
In my years of boating, I have yet to see a need for Search and Rescue 
to come to the aid of a kayaker or canoeist. Maybe it's happened, but I 
have no knowledge of it.
Finally, a tax on non-motorized vehicles is meant to regulate and 
discourage.  I can think of no reason to discourage any form of 
non-motorized transport, given the state of fuel usage, pollution, and 
congestion.  It is just common sense.  Smaller, less consumptive 
activities should be encouraged.

PS:  You must note that skiers do pay for trail maintenance. Kayakers 
do pay for the right to use the rivers.  How??? Ask me.

Sincerely,

Roger Hayes
Moscow

> I don't understand the problem.  Why should some users of our natural
> resources be required to pay a fee (off road motorized vehicle
> registration, motor boats, snowmobiles, etc.) while others do not
> (mountain bikes, kayaks, canoes, etc.)?  You may think *you* have 
> little
> impact, but what about those who may not be quite as adept at
> maneuvering a kayak, raft, or canoe who require assistance from a
> Sheriff's dept. or search and rescue?  Who pays for that?  Those who 
> buy
> registrations, that's who.
> =20
> I'm all for this registration, and I'm also for registration of 
> bicycles
> and cross country skis to help alleviate the costs incurred in making
> trails for them as well.
> =20
> Dan Carscallen
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]
> On Behalf Of roger hayes
> Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 6:45 PM
> To: vision2020@moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Fwd: Fw: Kayak registration
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> 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."
>
>
>
>