I realize for this board this news might be highly localized but somehow the idea of having to put stickers and registration numbers on my home made Skin on Frame or wooden kayak seems wrong to me. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/statehouse/050322boatfees.shtml michael *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>I realize for this board this news might be highly localized.... I totally (and respectfully) disagree about it being localized. I think it's extremely pertinent for all of us. The greater number of States who see it being done by other States, the more palatable it becomes for the remaining States to adopt such a measure. It's somewhat like a "safety in numbers" thing. The first state has a hell of a time getting it approved, but the last State sends it through without anybody even raising an eyebrow.... because it's become the norm at that point. It spreads like wildfire... much easier to stomp out a tiny little camp fire, not so easy to stomp out a forest fire. So, folks as far away as Hawaii should fight the measure in Maine.... Otherwise, they'll soon be fighting it on their own doorstep. Just 2 cents.... Rick *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, Mar 22, 2005 at 07:45:08AM -0800, Dave Kruger wrote: > The sticker fee in Maine is odious to me because the revenue is not devoted > to improvement of paddler access to Maine waters. The same thing is true in Pennsylvania: the money is spent on improvements that benefit power boaters (such as launch ramps) or on improving access for fisherman (mostly in places that are seldom-paddled). Adding insult to injury, the stickers are large enough that applying one to a slalom boat renders it unacceptable for international competition -- since there are rules pertaining to the size of decals. The only positive part about this is that such stickers are only required (AFAIK) for use of DNR access points, and those can be largely avoided, at least by river paddlers. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
It is not clear if the proposal here in Maine would apply to slat water as well as inland rivers and lakes. But it would not surprise me one bit with the myopic elected officials we have here in the state. And how would that be enforced in a state where tourism is the largest income. michael ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich Kulawiec" <rsk_at_rockandwater.net> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maine governor looks to assess fee on canoe, kayak owners > The only positive part about this is that such stickers are only required > (AFAIK) for use of DNR access points, and those can be largely avoided, > at least by river paddlers. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Here in Minnesota we pay about $17 for a three-year permit, and I think that at least a portion of the money is devoted to river and lake access, though how much of that is for canoes and kayaks, I don't know. The former head of the Trails and Waterways division of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources used to be on Paddlewise. If he still is, maybe he could enlighten us. Only a sticker about 3.5" square is required on non-motorized watercraft. Speaking of kayaking government officials, Barbara West, the outgoing supervisor of Voyageurs National Park, has actively promoted sea kayaking in the park. She will be the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Inland Sea Kayakers club at the R.E.I. store in Bloomington next week. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
That's it. I'm canceling our two weeks in Maine and heading for Ohio. I hear the lobster are great near Akron. Stickers on my Long Haul, I'd rather be tattooed! Maybe I can Velcro them on. John MacKechnie Long Haul Mark II Quattro (no stickers, no cigars, no high heels) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Illinois has had the requirement for some time. Worse yet is permanently putting the State assigned craft number into the craft. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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