Hinkle, Warnick oppose boatlift fees

COLUMBIA BASIN - After confusion and several complaints, the state Department of Natural Resources temporarily stopped collecting fees for boatlifts.

Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, and Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, plan to meet with natural resources to discuss what happened and find an alternative to the fees.

The state is able to collect the $175 fee annually under the Shoreline Management Act. The funds are intended to be used for managing public land.

Hinkle and Warnick stated they have received many complaints about the fee collection.

"I spoke with Commissioner (Doug) Sutherland," Warnick stated. "At this point, he's willing to delay the collection process for boatlift owners on Moses Lake. But this is not permanent, which is why we need the exemption specifically spelled out in law."

Last year the 13th District legislators introduced a bill exempting small watercraft lifts from being fined. The bill did not get a hearing during the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions.

"There has been a lot of confusion surrounding this fee and it's unfortunate," Hinkle stated. "We want people to know that we believe these fees are unfair and we will continue to do all we can in Olympia to ensure they are not burdened by these costs in the future. It's time for a permanent solution."

The lawmakers plan to reintroduce the legislation next year to allow permanent exemption for private boatlifts on Moses Lake.

For more information, contact Hinkle at 509-933-1238 or Warnick at 509-766-6505.