RBOC appreciates the renewed stakeholder engagement efforts California’s Division of Boating and Waterways is conducting with a May 8 discussion and more to follow.
As the Division considers the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] deficiency and the interests of stakeholders, RBOC is reinforcing the recommendations that we have made consistently through the past few years including at the conclusion of the previous stakeholder process. For more information on our recommendations: click here
RBOC is also adding to our recommendations with the following perspectives from the May 8 meeting:
Progress is being reported on efforts to obtain the financial participation of other stakeholders and beneficiaries. It is important to confirm those arrangements within statute. An example is the invasive species program.
Responses to some of the recommendations is that legislation would be needed. It is important that the Division recommend that legislation be pursued to implement those recommendations. Examples include the transfer of vessel registrations from DMV to DBW, the financial participation of nonmotorized vessels, commission responsibility to provide advice and consent on loans, grants and other decisions; and recapturing a portion of the over $100 million in motor vehicle fuel tax dollars attributable to vessels.
RBOC appreciates that beach erosion control expenditures have not been funded from the HWRF over the past few years. The statutes should be revised to eliminate the authority for such funding.
Consideration has been given to enhancement of operational efficiencies and updates to statutorily-mandated processes. The Division should identify and recommend those statutory revisions. Examples of the programs include private marina loans, public marina loans and grants, and abandoned vessel programs.
HWRF monies have been directed to other programs including the Department of Food and Agriculture, Special Resources Programs including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Yosemite Foundation Program, and the Sea Grant Program, the Delta Protection Commission, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and probably others. In light of the HWRF deficiency, these expenditures should be addressed and perhaps eliminated.
There are certainly additional issues and potential actions, and we look forward to our continued engagement going forward.