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Hinkle and Warnick share boaters’ concerns,
remain opposed to boatlift fees
13th
District lawmakers will meet with Department of
Natural Resources to find permanent solution
Reps.
Bill Hinkle and
Judy Warnick
are disappointed with the state Aquatic Division’s recent decision to
collect fees from residents with boatlifts on Moses Lake. The fees have
been temporarily halted, but the 13th District lawmakers will be meeting
with the state Department of Natural Resources to learn what happened
and find a permanent solution.
Hinkle and Warnick have received several complaints about the $175
boatlift fee and share their constituents’ concerns. The 13th District
lawmakers discussed the issue during a community forum last Wednesday,
with several participants sharing their views.
The state has the authority to collect the boatlift fee under the
Shoreline Management Act. The funds are used for the management of
public lands.
“I spoke with Commissioner Sutherland,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “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.”
Hinkle and Warnick have been working on the issue for some time. They
introduced a measure in the 2007 legislative session that would have
exempted small, private boatlifts on Moses Lake from the onerous fee.
House Bill 1591 could not receive a hearing in the 2007 or 2008
legislative sessions.
“There has been a lot of confusion surrounding this issue and it’s
unfortunate,” said Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. “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.”
Hinkle and Warnick will introduce legislation again next year to obtain
a permanent exemption for private boatlifts on Moses Lake.
If constituents have questions, they can contact their 13th District
lawmakers directly. Hinkle can be contacted at (509) 933-1238. Warnick
can be reached at (509) 766-6505.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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