End of the free launch?

For the first time, Kootenai County may start charging boaters a fee to launch at the county’s 22 ramps and docks on Lake Coeur d’Alene and at other area lakes and rivers.

The county commission also plans to charge an annual fee to commercial boats and barges, including those loading and hauling construction materials to waterfront building sites.

The money would go toward repair and maintenance of the county’s waterfront facilities as boater use increases each year. The commission said the county isn’t getting enough money from boater registration fees to cover the increased expense.

“People who use (the facilities) should be the ones who help maintain them,” Commission Chairman Rick Currie said. “I’ve personally dragged my feet on it, but I see it’s time to move ahead now.”

The commission plans to hold a public hearing, likely in September, to allow boaters to comment on the proposed launch fee.

Under the proposal, county residents would pay $4 per day to launch or $20 for an annual launch pass. Out-of-state residents would pay $6 a day or $30 for an annual pass.

Currently, the state and the city of Coeur d’Alene charge $4 launch fees.

The city increased its launch fee for the Third Street Dock earlier this summer from $3.

City Parks Director Doug Eastwood said he hasn’t heard any complaints from boaters; most understand they need to help pay for maintenance and repair.

“It was a dollar increase,” Eastwood said. “Nobody seemed to be too concerned.”

The launch and $15 overnight mooring fees generate about $24,000 annually for the city’s waterfront improvement fund. Eastwood said the city ramp accommodates about 7,000 launches a year. Third Street and the state’s Higgen’s Point boat launch, which also serves about 7,000 boaters each year, are the most popular launches on the lake, Eastwood said.

Currie said the commission also wants to start charging annual permit fees for commercial use of the county docks and ramps.

The county has had problems with people repairing boat motors on county docks, which obstructs use and gets grease and oil in the lake and on the dock.

Occasionally, out-of-state boat dealers block launches by parking trailers on the ramps while customers test new models.

Currie said people have used the county ramps to load gravel and building materials onto barges.

The county is proposing a $500 annual permit for marine contractors and fueling vessels. Cruise ships that load and launch from county facilities would have to pay $50 per linear foot of moorage. Hagadone cruise boats wouldn’t have to pay because those vessels depart and moor at the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s private dock.

Out-of-state boat dealers and vessel repair companies would have to pay a $500 annual fee, while the cost for in-state dealers would be $200.

The county also plans to charge advertisers and concession-stand owners who want to use county facilities.

Coeur d’Alene prohibits commercial use of its Third Street Dock.

John Condon of North Idaho Maritime, which transports logs and construction material, was involved in the talks with the commission and said the permit fees will help keep businesses accountable for their use of waterfront facilities.

“It just differentiates the professionals from anyone that might not be or people who abuse the public trust and the facility,” Condon said.

Eventually he hopes that the county or state will build a dedicated launch for commercial use, freeing up the recreational facilities.

The commission already held a public hearing on the commercial proposal and worked with marine contractors to make the fees more palatable than when first proposed in 2006.

The commission, however, wants to wait to vote on the commercial fees until it holds a public hearing on the recreational boat launch fees.

This week the commission said it intends for the commercial fees to take effect as soon as the proposal is passed. The recreational fees wouldn’t take effect until Jan. 1.