Boaters Can Bear Proposed User Fees
Coeur d’Alene’s popular Third Street dock on Lake Coeur d’Alene has received considerable off-season attention.
First, sidewalks were damaged by commercial cranes lifting sailboats from the Third Street seawall. Then, resort owner Duane Hagadone shook up the community by proposing to build a botanical garden at McEuen Field that included closing the launch site.
Boaters and fishermen spearheaded the vocal opposition that persuaded Hagadone to withdraw his plan.
Now, as another boating season officially gets under way today - if high water permits - Coeur d’Alene officials are contemplating a major change for the Third Street site. They want to begin charging user fees next year.
Philosophically, we see no problem with that - if the revenue is used to upgrade and expand north shore recreation facilities, including the North Idaho Centennial Trail - and not poured into the general fund. However, we don’t support a companion proposal to charge out-of-county boaters more than those from Kootenai County.
Also, we think city officials should check the constitutionality of their proposed fee before they proceed. A similar one enacted by Kootenai County 12 years ago was rejected by the courts.
In 1985, Kootenai County caused a stir by imposing a $10 fee on boaters to help pay for upkeep and law enforcement at county boating facilities. Later, following a challenge by a marina owner, a judge ruled that the fee represented double taxation. Registration fees already helped pay for boat facilities.
The state of Idaho has set the precedent this time, however.
A month ago, the state Parks and Recreation Department began charging boats a $2 user fee to launch from Higgens Point boat ramp, east of Coeur d’Alene. Additionally, the development plan for a boat launching site on Blackwell Island, at the mouth of the Spokane River, calls for user fees, too.
Frankly, we can’t see how anyone who can afford a nice boat and $40 for a full tank of gas would quibble over a few bucks to launch.
For years, Inland Northwest boaters have enjoyed free access to beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, give or take a parking ticket or two. At the same time, Kootenai County taxpayers picked up all or part of the tab for marine patrols and to maintain docks, launch ramps and breakwaters.
It’s time for boaters to pitch in a little extra.
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