Re: [Paddlewise] Maine governor looks to assess fee on canoe, kayak owners

The sticker fee in Maine is odious to me because the revenue is not devoted 
to improvement of paddler access to Maine waters.  If the article is 
accurate, its principal function is to support the Maine fish and game 
department.

I'd consider supporting such a fee, here in Oregon, if the revenue were tied 
__by statute__ to paddler-related benefits.  I'd also oppose the onus of 
registration numbers.  A simple sticker, such as the state of Washington uses 
for parking vehicles at waterway access points, would be more practical. 
(That sticker goes on vehicles, not boats, but the idea is the same.)  There 
is little need to register each boat individually.

If there were paddler dollars going into a state of Oregon fund devoted to 
paddler's concerns, then I'd have more leverage when it comes time to push 
for paddler-related access at local boat ramp sites, which are largely 
supported by the marine fuel tax and by power boat registration fees.  I 
don't have much leverage as it is now.  And, in my case, if the fee were 
$5.00/boat, I'd pay just $20.00/year.  Very small potatoes if I compare it to 
my total paddling-related annual outlay:  gas money to get to paddlesites, 
gear purchases, fees to camp (in some locales), theft insurance on my boats, 
etc.

I'm not one to stick my head in the sand about the need to pay a reasonable 
amount for my access, but if I were a Maine paddler, I'd fight this measure 
tooth, claw and toenail.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR 
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