Mussel tax on all Idaho kayaks, rafts and inflatables over 10 feet

[carvedog]

The Idaho legislature is once again considering requiring registration of non-motorized boats (inflatables over 10 feet in length, all canoes, and all kayaks). The bill (HB 213) has already passed the House and will soon be considered by the Senate Resource and Environment Committee. This bill is moving fast because it is now being couched as a way to fund programs that would prevent the spread of invasive mollusks (zebra and quagga mussels). This is an effort to keep these invasive species out of Idaho waterways, but this is not the way to do it. There is nothing in HB 213 that requires the money generated by boat registration fees to go towards addressing the spread of invasive mollusks. In fact, the money could be appropriated for wholly unrelated spending.

Idaho maggots ( or those who want to boat here ) need to write a letter in opposition of HB 213. If you live in Idaho, get on this. Follow the link below for talking points and email addresses of the Resource and Environment Committee members.
This is a bad tax, poorly designed with no oversight as to how the money gets spent. Speak up or pay up.

http://www.kayakidaho.com/index.php?...63&topic=677.0

[slide_for_life]

Here's the sound byte version straight from AW.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/co...full_id_30307_

When writing your letter please try to avoid complaining about how unfair it is to tax non-motorized boats. Instead focus on how this bill, in its current form, commits nothing to address the stated goal of preventing the spread of invasive mussels to Idaho waterways.

[Conundrum]

Yeah, this is lame. My understanding was any water craft under 10' was exempt including kayaks. I might be wrong but I hope I'm right. I have one raft but the kayaks would start to get costly if I had to pay for them too.

Otter was the original sponsor of charging non-motorized boats and wanted to do it to pay for boat ramps. It didn't go anywhere because most of the non-motorized don't use ramps. Looks like he found a new horse to ride.

[carvedog]

Yeah, this is lame. My understanding was any water craft under 10' was exempt including kayaks. I might be wrong but I hope I'm right. I have one raft but the kayaks would start to get costly if I had to pay for them too.

Otter was the original sponsor of charging non-motorized boats and wanted to do it to pay for boat ramps. It didn't go anywhere because most of the non-motorized don't use ramps. Looks like he found a new horse to ride.

My take was only inflatable craft under 10 feet would be exempt. Been wrong before - once.

The money is so not the point too. At least individual costs. Outfitters get a $200 blanket fee, which is a lot for small business to absorb extra tax. Especially when their boats NEVER go near quagga country.

So dumb.

[Conundrum]

Agreed. It's a bullshit tax on non-motorized boaters who already pay fees to park at most of the rivers around. And it's basically a self sustaining system as is... I hadn't heard of the blanket fee.

It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

[ski_faster]

Go get them stickers!

http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/...eciesfund.aspx

[Flowtorch]

Shiiiit. Kayakers gotta have em too? Even if were just visitin?

[ski_faster]

Only if your Kayak is over 10 feet.

Shiiiit. Kayakers gotta have em too? Even if were just visitin?

[carvedog]

Only if your Kayak is over 10 feet.

This from the regs:
Under the new law, any boat that is registered in Idaho or another state, and any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, raft, drift boat, etc.) will be required to purchase and display IISF stickers in order to legally launch and operate in Idaho.
Inflatable, non-motorized vessels must be less than 10 feet in length to be exempted from this requirement. [/quote]

Unless you are running an inflatiyak I think you must pay.

If you come to Idaho you must pay.

Paying is what you do in Idaho.

Larry Craig must pay.

Boaters must pay.

You will pay. Pay and Pay. Bwaaaaaaaaahhhhh........

[RootSkier]

I have no idea what you are talking about. *nnnoooooonan*

[Conundrum]

Carvedog has the gospel. ...but, I bought my tag for my raft yesterday and asked about kayaks. I didn't specify what type of kayak and they said I didn't need anything as long as it's under 10'. The other pearl of wisdom I picked up is that the tags are not boat specific and don't register to any serial numbers so you can bounce them from boat to boat by putting the sticker on something and attaching that something to your boat via biner or zip tie. And, there's no proof of ownership for a boat so buddies can share a tag.

The long and the short of it is it's a turd policy made by turd policy makers. It's $5 for non-motorized and a $57 fine getting caught without one. So, I coughed up the cash.

[reidhresko]

paddle a shorty!

[k_j_p23]

Has anyone actually been checked yet? My thought is they will use the number of stickers bought this year to try to pass the boat registration next year. I've seen a couple kayaks with stickers, but haven't heard of anyone actually being checked.

[HotCarl]

It is a little bit annoying that they haven't even mentioned these tags to us. The only reason i have heard about it is b/c of word of mouth--on the internet. There is zero mention of ID tags (they do speak of Mussels) in all the packets and boater info they gave me when i got my MF permit(packet) in the mail. I called the ranger and asked if we needed these and all she really said was "Yeah,looks like it." Soo we just went ahead and bought them. And to top it off--they take forever to get here. So order them in advance if you are.....

[RootSkier]

The forest service doesn't give two shits about this state law. I have talked with ID river rangers this spring. At this time they have no orders to enforce this.