http://rboc.org/news_releases.html
KEY ISSUE OVERVIEW
JUNE 15, 2009
Efforts to Save Cal Boating Persist After 3 Capitol Hearings
RBOC Requests Boaters Continue Contacting Their Legislators and urge them to oppose the Governor's proposal to eliminate the independent Cal Boating [the California
Department of Boating and Waterways. The proposal has been considered in 3 legislative hearings in the past month:
It was removed from the May 14 hearing of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #2.
It was ill-received on June 2 by the two-house, ten-member Budget Conference Committee. The summation of a Senator:
“This is a solution in search of a problem."
It was rebuffed on June 11 when the Natural Resources Water Committee voted 5 to 0 to recommend that the Budget Conference Committee reject the proposal.
Despite these encouraging actions, the proposal remains very much alive as the Governor and Legislature endeavor to address a tremendous decline in state revenues. Consideration is anticipated in additional legislative hearings as well as small-group budget negotiations between the leaders. It could also be pursued as a formal reorganization proposal. Boater constituent contacts with legislators have been critical to preserving Cal Boating during the first six months of this year, and are just as important during this next phase.
RBOC Supporting Boat Operation Safety Legislation
RBOC is supporting two boat operation-related bills that are moving forward:
•
SB 154 (Benoit) to require that individuals convicted of boating under the influence be ordered to participate in a recovery program as a condition of probation.
•
SB 717 (Runner) to increase the maximum age under which a person aboard a boat must wear a life jacket from 11 to 13, in conformance with federal law.
RBOC Supporting Two Abandoned Boat Measures
RBOC is supporting two bills aimed at enhancing efforts to rid the waterways of abandoned and derelict vessels:
•
AB 166 [Lieu] to create a state boat surrender program to help prevent abandonment.
•
SB 459 [Wolk] to expedite State Lands Commission procedures to remove commercial vessels.
RBOC Expresses Harbor Commercialization Concerns to Coastal Commission
RBOC has submitted comments to the California Coastal Commission on behalf of Northern and Southern California boaters as the Commission considers updates to land use plans [th] that would impact small recreational boat opportunities. RBOC is urging the Commission to pursue a policy that places a priority and an emphasis on the
recreational boating aspects, and to incorporate these factors into the plans.
RBOC understands and appreciates the interest in increasing commercial enterprises in harbor areas. Experience in these situations has shown that ambitious proposals to develop restaurants, lodging and other similar businesses in close proximity to the waterfront often fall short of the initial projections. Once the recreational opportunities are reduced, however, they do not return to their prior levels.
RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access in the Delta
Several bills have been introduced regarding the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, including
governance, conservation, environmental protection, and conveyance. RBOC is advocating to protect boater rights and to assure access for continued navigation where any control
structure (such as gates or barriers) is planned for placement across a navigable Delta
waterway. The organization will also seek to have operable boat locks installed as an integral design component to mitigate for the placement of any control structure across navigable waterways.
JUNE 15, 2009
Efforts to Save Cal Boating Persist After 3 Capitol Hearings
RBOC Requests Boaters Continue Contacting Their Legislators and urge them to oppose the Governor's proposal to eliminate the independent Cal Boating [the California
Department of Boating and Waterways. The proposal has been considered in 3 legislative hearings in the past month:
It was removed from the May 14 hearing of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #2.
It was ill-received on June 2 by the two-house, ten-member Budget Conference Committee. The summation of a Senator:
“This is a solution in search of a problem."
It was rebuffed on June 11 when the Natural Resources Water Committee voted 5 to 0 to recommend that the Budget Conference Committee reject the proposal.
Despite these encouraging actions, the proposal remains very much alive as the Governor and Legislature endeavor to address a tremendous decline in state revenues. Consideration is anticipated in additional legislative hearings as well as small-group budget negotiations between the leaders. It could also be pursued as a formal reorganization proposal. Boater constituent contacts with legislators have been critical to preserving Cal Boating during the first six months of this year, and are just as important during this next phase.
RBOC Supporting Boat Operation Safety Legislation
RBOC is supporting two boat operation-related bills that are moving forward:
•
SB 154 (Benoit) to require that individuals convicted of boating under the influence be ordered to participate in a recovery program as a condition of probation.
•
SB 717 (Runner) to increase the maximum age under which a person aboard a boat must wear a life jacket from 11 to 13, in conformance with federal law.
RBOC Supporting Two Abandoned Boat Measures
RBOC is supporting two bills aimed at enhancing efforts to rid the waterways of abandoned and derelict vessels:
•
AB 166 [Lieu] to create a state boat surrender program to help prevent abandonment.
•
SB 459 [Wolk] to expedite State Lands Commission procedures to remove commercial vessels.
RBOC Expresses Harbor Commercialization Concerns to Coastal Commission
RBOC has submitted comments to the California Coastal Commission on behalf of Northern and Southern California boaters as the Commission considers updates to land use plans [th] that would impact small recreational boat opportunities. RBOC is urging the Commission to pursue a policy that places a priority and an emphasis on the
recreational boating aspects, and to incorporate these factors into the plans.
RBOC understands and appreciates the interest in increasing commercial enterprises in harbor areas. Experience in these situations has shown that ambitious proposals to develop restaurants, lodging and other similar businesses in close proximity to the waterfront often fall short of the initial projections. Once the recreational opportunities are reduced, however, they do not return to their prior levels.
RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access in the Delta
Several bills have been introduced regarding the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, including
governance, conservation, environmental protection, and conveyance. RBOC is advocating to protect boater rights and to assure access for continued navigation where any control
structure (such as gates or barriers) is planned for placement across a navigable Delta
waterway. The organization will also seek to have operable boat locks installed as an integral design component to mitigate for the placement of any control structure across navigable waterways.