Talks begin over expanding watercraft fees

BOISE – Lawmakers and user groups began discussions Friday over expanding watercraft registration fees to kayakers, canoeists, rafters and even windsurfers, but change may be more than a year away.

Gov. Butch Otter sparked the debate last March, when he raised concerns that sailboat and motorboat owners who now pay the fees were unfairly shouldering the entire burden of facilities maintenance, rescue operations, rules enforcement, parking and access on Idaho’s waterways.

It’s an issue that has flared tempers. Nonmotorized watercraft enthusiasts beat back an effort in 2004 by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department to charge every canoe, kayak and raft over 7 feet long a $13 registration fee. And the American Whitewater organization has lobbied other state legislatures to kill similar proposals.

By holding discussions with many user groups, Otter aims to avoid similar pitfalls and form a plan that equitably splits costs. The group that met Friday included lawmakers and lobbyists for the Idaho Whitewater Association, a kayak group, pro-jet-boat Western Whitewater Association, and Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, a raft industry group.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to make the 2008 legislative window” for proposed legislation, said Bob Wells, an Otter aide. “I’m not ready to throw in that towel yet. At the same time, we’re not going to do a half-baked job. If it takes until 2009, so be it.”

The group plans to meet again, likely next year, after gathering information about existing state and federal boating-related services – and how they are paid for.

Currently, Idaho motorboat and sailboat owners must pay $20 per year for craft up to 12 feet long; larger boats pay a $2 surcharge for each additional foot.