As an avid paddler on Michigan lakes, rivers and the Great Lakes, I sought to get more information in the issue of mandatory registration of paddlecraft and related aspects and legislation. On March 8, 2018, in a phone call with Commissioner Nickels, I was able to get further information, as well as pose a few questions. I thank the Commissioner for his time, knowledge, and thoughts. The discussion centered around MSWC Resolution 01-2018-02 .
Below is my summary of key points:
- The MSWC is a body comprised entirely of volunteers appointed by the governor and is an advisory body to the DNR. It reports to the Director of the DNR. They seek to align the needs of law enforcement, first responders, and the customer (boaters, paddlers etc.).
- The resolution was a response to information received from private and public sector agents on the rapid growth of paddle craft use on Michigan and Great Lakes waters and the increasing need for law enforcement to respond to safety problems of abandoned/vacant boats, paddlers in danger, and search and rescue. Commissioner Nickels also mentioned the rise in paddler/motorboat conflict, especially concerning parking facilities. Neither the Commissioner nor I know of any studies done to understand these issues. Boating industry estimates that paddle craft will reach 50% of the boats on Michigan waters soon if not already the case.
- The Commissioners debated/discussed the idea of including a mandatory use of PFDs (each paddler or passenger required to wear the PFD, not just have them somewhere accessible to them). It was decided that it was too controversial and might undermine the possibility of other measures getting enacted. He cited the legislation making it optional to wear motorcycle helmets as an example of the legislature going in the opposite direction of requirements for safety.
- Cost of registration. The 2018 resolution includes “up to $10 annually” for registration fee. There is the possibility that legislators might reduce that fee.
- I raised the allocation of the revenues gained through the collection of registration fees as a key point of discussion and confusion among paddlers. See discussion below.
- Coverage: As indicated in Point 4 of resolution all rigged hulled kayaks and canoes will be covered under this, regardless of length. Point 5 covers paddleboards and only those 8 feet or longer are covered.
- Regarding the idea of reduced cost after the first boat (kayak, canoe, paddleboard) is registered, the Commissioners felt that there was no precedent for that, as no other watercraft registration enables a reduced fee for owners of multiple craft. Thus, it was not included.
- The Commissioners are aware of the costs (time and money) of doing registration through the Secretary of State offices and would like DNR and Legislature to consider enabling Points of Sale options as currently exist with Fishing Licenses, Hunting Licenses, etc.
- There is complementary legislation (2018 SIB 0736) and Joint Resolution regarding 2018 SIB 0273 that can be found at http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2018-SJR-O ). These are moving through the MI legislation, sponsored by Senator Tom Caspersen (from Escanaba) regarding the Michigan Natural resources Trust Fund with revenues gained from royalties received from public lands and other sources. After the endowment of the MNR Trust Fund reaches $800 million, the overflow would go to the MI State Parks Endowment Fund, according to this legislation. These funds have and are being used to make grants to communities, including purchase of land for parking and landing, etc. Check the proposed legislation for more details (lots of them). (There is the following https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/865162 that details SB0280 that appears to be the bill moving forward. The bill’s sponsors are all from the Republican Party. Info on status of that is at http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2017-SB-0280 ).
- The Commissioners have met with Legislators and found enthusiasm for investments in water trails and other paddling facilities, as indicated below. As the 2018 MSWC resolution indicates, raising the costs for all watercraft registration is to be considered. Invasive species funding is also under consideration, based on Minnesota experience with this, issuing special stickers (similar to MI Recreation Pass for vehicles) or including within cost of registration. It is not addressed in this 2018 MSWC Resolution.
Regarding the allocation of funds, I view this as a key issue among the other paddlers that I have spoken with, and communicated that to the Commissioner. He indicated that there is separate legislation that concerns the use of revenues for licenses and registration of watercraft. the Commissioner indicated that of those watercraft revenues collected, 50% must go to watercraft safety as administered by law enforcement agencies. The other 50% goes to watercraft facilities and needs, as administered by the DNR. The DNR Grants program is funded this way, for example. The legislation moving forward under Point 9 above also addresses funding issues for DNR activities/investments.
Boating access sites currently receive funding from several sources, including taxes on fuel pumped at the 19 state operated marinas and 20 grant-in-aid marinas. Many serve as Safe Harbor sites along the Great Lakes. This funding is in addition to a portion of the boat registration fees collection and grants.
The Commissioner spoke very favorably about a recent presentation by the Michigan Trails Initiative concerning water trails. The commissioners jointly view these efforts as important with local partners and municipalities, but need funding sources for grants and other initiative for DNR to move these initiatives forward. This would include things like improvements to rustic drop sites for paddlecraft, with buying land, arranging parking, possible latrines/outhouses, etc. Improving or expanding current parking to incorporate needs of both paddlers and motorboat users might be included. Also in demand is the increase in availability of assisted launch facilities for paddlecraft.
These notes were developed by me, as a Michigan paddler and citizen. I take responsibility for errors of interpretation. C. Donovan March 14, 2018
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