RBOC Supporting California Update to PFD Regulations

RBOC today submitted formal comments to the Division of Boating and Waterways in State Parks, supporting the adoption of proposed amendments to the personal flotation device [PFD] provisions in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 4, Chapter 1 (CCR) Sections 6656.2, 6656.4, 6565.5, 6565.6, and 6565.7.

RBOC supports the objective of the amendments to:

1. Remove references to type codes found on PFDs which in turn will facilitate future incorporation by reference of new industry consensus standards for PFD labeling that more effectively convey safety information to boaters and is a step toward harmonization of USCG regulations with PFD requirements in Canada and in other countries. These regulatory changes will align CCR with federal statute and provide consistency throughout the state on use of PFD terminology. 

2. Move the requirements found in Title 14 CCR 6567.7 (a) to section 6565.5 to ensure boaters understand what “readily accessible” means if they are over 13 years of age and choose not to wear a PFD, and to more clearly define what “readily accessible” means. 

3. Add definitions of “personal flotation device” and “wearable PFD” consistent with 33CFR Subpart B—Personal Flotation Devices § 175.13 to ensure regulatory language found in CCR is consistent throughout the state on use of PFD terminology.

RBOC Urging Governor to Incorporate Boating Community Input into the Budget

As preparations are made for the January release of your proposed state budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, RBOC together with several other organizations collectively representing California’s boaters and boating industry are urging Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to consider and include the recommendations that were developed by the Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW] in State Parks through a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process.

In addition to RBOC, groups joining in the request include our national advocacy partner BoatUS, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Coastal Conservation Association of California, Marine Recreation Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, and Southern California Yachting Association.

DBW created three ad hoc subcommittees in November 2021 on Revenue Generation, Program Development and Alternative Funding Sources, each chaired by a Boating and Waterways Commission member, staffed by DBW, with stakeholder participation. Each met several times through 2022 and developed recommendations that were submitted to DBW and State Parks on November 17, 2022. The stakeholders participated in a two-year effort and submitted our joint recommendations in writing during this process.

The key expectation was that adoption of the recommendations would reduce costs and increase revenues, thereby reducing or eliminating any increase in the boater registration fees. In January of 2021 the proposal was to raise the fees from $20 to $70 every 2 years. Subsequent proposals called for even more of an increase, from $20 to $80 every 2 years.

We remain concerned that the stakeholder engagement has not continued, that the submitted recommendations have not been implemented, that the projected structural deficit in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund will remain, and that a proposed Administration solution will be a significant boat registration fee increase that is not supported by the boating community.   

The net effect would be the creation of a financial barrier to healthy on-the-water opportunities for the average California boat owner, whose boat is under 25 feet in length, and even more so for individuals in disadvantaged communities or on fixed incomes.

The average boat owner in California has an income of less than $70,000 per year, among those who are least able to afford the significant 300% increases in their registration fees.  In California, the state collects use/sales tax on the purchase of a boat and annual unsecured property tax on the boat. A significant registration fee increase will essentially make boating an activity that the average Californian family cannot afford.

The number of registered vessels in California has already been decreasing. Several years ago, California ranked third in the number of registered boats by state, today the state is fifth. Local assessors have been drastically increasing the assessed value of vessels for local property tax purposes, regardless of their age. Boaters are being required to spend more money on less effective hull paints.

The hardship of quadrupling fees coupled with severely increased fuel costs would also decrease tax revenue from boaters that fuel boats and the vehicles that tow them off the water, impact on the water or walkable restaurants accessed by boats, shopping by boaters who buy boating and camping equipment, and pay for repairs. This is in addition to the day use and launch ramp fees boaters pay at State Parks. Our communities would pay less fees for fishing and hunting, and fewer launches would decrease launch fees collected and place more hardships on marina owners. 

For these reasons, we reaffirm our support for the attached recommendations that were submitted by the three subcommittees on Alternative Funding, Revenue Generation and Program Development.

Did you know - state is working to enhance access to on-the-water opportunities

The Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW] in State Parks is utilizing $10 million in funding to connect urban communities and waterways.

The Water Connections Initiative is intended to increase and expand water-related outdoor access to priority communities.

Priority communities have a population of at least 2,500 who are located near rivers, inland waterways, and inland water systems, and who lack meaningful connection to nature for a variety of reasons.

Funding categories include:

• State park public access facility expansions and improvements.

• Career pathways and route to parks grants through Parks California.

• Identification and building of needed public access facilities.

$10 million in funding has been allocated to DBW starting in 2023 for local jurisdiction projects identified in its boating launch facility grant program.

As a policy, RBOC supports efforts to enhance access to on-the-water opportunities throughout the state, enabling Californians to enjoy our tremendous, unique and extensive water-based recreational offerings.

RBOC Supporting Confirmation of DBW Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez

RBOC is urging the Senate Rules Committee to recommend that the full Senate confirm Governor Newsom’s appointment of Ramona Fernandez as Deputy Director of the Division of Boating and Waterways within the Department of Parks and Recreation.

RBOC has had numerous, direct and positive experiences with Ms. Fernandez in her leadership role as Deputy Director of the Division of Boating and Waterways. She has displayed an open and engaged approach with all stakeholders and interests on each issue.

This has been especially clear as Ms. Fernandez has led the dedicated division staff, Boating and Waterways Commission members, and the public through a comprehensive stakeholder process to consider the stated deficiency in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund and actions that can be taken.

The mission and efforts of the Division of Boating and Waterways will be enhanced and advanced by having Ms. Fernandez confirmed as Deputy Director.

RBOC Advocating for Governor and Legislature to Adopt Recommendations on Boating Taxes & Fees in State Budgetnd

California’s boating community and industry together support the dedication and utilization of boater fees and taxes for programs and services that directly benefit boaters.

As a part of our ongoing advocacy efforts on this issue, RBOC and several like-minded boating organizations wrote to State Parks Director Quintero and other officials today to re-affirm our interests, concerns, and requests as the state budget for FY 2023-2024 is being developed prior to the start of that fiscal year on July 1.

We appreciate the decision made by the Governor and Legislature within the state budget for the current fiscal year to refrain from significantly increasing boat registration fees, and in convening a stakeholder process to provide a path to expanded opportunities for all Californians to enjoy on-the-water recreation in the years ahead.

This process provided the opportunity for all interested parties and the state to review the expenditure of more than $100 million each year in fuel tax dollars attributable to boats owners. Within that review, we were able to assess a need to determine the most effective and efficient use of those funds, to identify approaches for increasing the disproportionally small percentage of those monies currently directed to boating programs, and to enhance the financial participation of non-boaters who benefit from the current and future programs.

We anticipate that the Governor’s May Budget Revise may propose one or more solutions to the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] deficiency. We urge the administration and the Legislature to ensure that the recommendations developed through this stakeholder process are incorporated.

They include:

• A comprehensive report on the economic impact of recreational boating in California.

• The enhanced participation and financial contribution of non-boating stakeholders and beneficiaries who benefit from current and future programs and services.

• The enhancement of the statutory authority and role of the Commission to provide not only advice, but also consent on the Division’s loans and grants from the HWRF.

• The identification of approaches that can be taken to meet the new challenges identified through the stakeholder engagement process such as the number of abandoned and derelict vessels not currently addressed by the existing SAVE grant program.

• The enhancement of the Division’s administration of essential programs.

• The identification of efficiencies and improvements to programs that are not attracting the desired number of recipients due to statutory requirements that may be out-of-date, obsolete, or non-competitive.

• Encouragement of Californians to take advantage of the unique and diverse on-the-water opportunities that exist throughout the state.

• A return of a significant amount of the motor vehicle fuel taxes directly generated by recreational boaters to the HWRF.

• An identification and expenditure of other funds for grants directed to beach erosion control.

• As appropriate, a vessel registration fee adjustment that is reasonable and that corresponds to the revenues and savings that are recommended above.

With the dedicated leadership provided by members of the Boating and Waterways Commission and the personnel at the Division of Boating and Waterways, the boating community engaged in the extensive stakeholder process with optimism that the recom-mendations would inform budgetary decisions and policy initiatives to enhance unique California’s on-the-water opportunities for all Californians.

The process concluded at the end of last year with the submission of each subcommittee’s report to the Division of Boating and Waterways and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

We are urging the administration and the Legislature to incorporate the recommendations into the May budget revise and related budget legislation that will be released in the near future.

For a copy of today’s letter: click here

RBOC Directors Lobbying California Legislators on Key 2022 Issues

The voluntary members of the RBOC Board of Directors have begun a series of virtual meetings today with members of the California Senate and Assembly to advocate on several key measures including:

• Boater Fees and Taxes - State Parks & Division of Boating and Waterways

• Outdoor Recreation and Preservation of Water

• Beach Erosion and Replenishment

• Abandoned and Derelict Commercial Vessels

• Human and Medical Waste in Waterways

• Boating and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

• Dredging

For the RBOC Key Issue Update: Click here

Keep Boating Clean, Safe and Fun! - Happy 4th!

From California’s Boating Clean and Green program:

Let’s keep boating clean, safe and fun by implementing some of the following clean and safe boating practices during this important Holiday:

1. Be safe, always wear a life jacket.
2. Ensure you have the right safety equipment on board. Visit boatcalifornia.com for more boating safety tips.
3. Prevent oily discharge from the bilge. Practice preventive engine maintenance and use oil absorbents.
4. Prevent fuel spills by using fuel bibs. Dispose of them as a hazardous waste at your County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. For locations check your browser or visit earth911.com. For a Free California Boater Kit with clean and safe boating information visit Bit.ly/2021CABoaterKit
5. Do not add soap in order to disperse fuel and oil spills. It is ILLEGAL and bad for the environment.
6. Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the water. Use less toxic products.
7. Dispose of hazardous waste properly.
8. Plan ahead! Manage sewage waste properly and use sewage pumpouts. Check the Free Pumpout App to identify your nearest participating pumpout, dump station and floating restroom!
9. Stow it, do not throw it and ditch the disposables for reusables! Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Recycle your fishing line and properly dispose of nets and hooks.
10. Reduce grey water discharges. Use biodegradable and phosphate free soaps.

For the official announcement: click here

State Parks Provides Safety Tips to Help Californians Responsibly Visit Waterways Amid Pandemic

S

 California State Parks and the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) remind water enthusiasts during National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) how to responsibly recreate in California’s waterways this year during COVID-19. As State Parks and other park operators begin to increase access at parks and waterways in compliance with state and local public health ordinances, it is important for everyone to know how and where they can recreate, who they can go boating with, and how the use of life jackets continues to be life-saving.

For more information: click here

Boater-Funded HWRF Reform Not Included in May Budget Revise

RBOC is pleased that the Governor’s May Budget Revise announced today for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1 does not include feared revisions to the state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] to address stated deficiencies before critical questions are addressed.

We anticipate that this issue will continue to be discussed with the boating community and could be suggested again in either the January 2021 proposal or May 2021 May revise for the state budget for the next fiscal year that will begin on July 1, 2021.

California’s boating community including RBOC and numerous boating industry associations submitted a joint letter on May 4 requesting essential information before fund deficiency solutions are advanced. proposal for the state fiscal year that will commence on July 1, of this year. For more details, see our May 4 post below.

California's Boating Community Requests Essential Information From State Parks Before Fund Deficiency Solutions are Advanced

California’s boating community, comprised of boaters and the boating industry, and as represented by a number of organizations, is quite concerned that the California Department of Parks and Recreation [State Parks] may move forward this year with one or more proposals to revise the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] in a process and with substantive provisions that could be detrimental to the state’s boating community.

Boating stakeholders are being informed that there is a deficiency in the HWRF and that significant revisions are being considered to the boating programs and services that it funds, as well as the sources or amounts of revenues paid into the fund.

To date, we have received no specifics regarding any proposals despite a Constitutional deadline for a completed budget of June 15th. We are concerned that action could be taken in the very near future in conjunction with the release of the Governor’s May Budget Revise, with an accelerated calendar for consideration and adoption of the upcoming state budget for the fiscal year that commences on July 1.

In order to help us engage to the best and most robust way possible, our communities have specific questions about the HWRF and expenditures by the Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW]. While we have received some feedback, we have not received the specific information that has been requested by a number of individuals and organizations both formally in public testimony, and informally in meetings and conversations.

It is critical that this state’s boating stakeholders have accurate information that is essential to our consideration of any proposed revisions. There are approximately 800,000 registered boats in California, and a vibrant $17 billion dollar per year industry. The many forms of boating provide enjoyable, healthy and popular recreational opportunities throughout the state.

The organizations signing onto the letter are [in alphabetical order]:

• American Sportfishing Association

• BoatU.S.

• California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains

• California Striped Bass Association

• California Yacht Brokers Association

• Coastside Fishing Club

• Marine Recreation Association

• National Marine Manufacturers Association

• Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association

• Pacific-Inter Club Yacht Association

• Recreational Boaters of California

• Southern California Yachting Association

• The California State Sheriff’s Boat and Watercraft Safety Committee

For a copy of the boating community letter: click here

California State Parks Takes Additional Steps to Help Slow Down Spread of COVID-19: Vehicle Access Temporarily Closed for Additional Parks

California State Parks today announced it is temporarily closing vehicle access to 59 additional state parks and beaches to avoid dangerous visitation surges and help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

From State Parks:

This brings the total number of state-operated parks and beaches closed to vehicle access to 98. A list of closures can be found online at www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Last weekend, many state parks and beaches received record visitation numbers, which made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social/ physical distancing practices. As a result, State Parks is working closely with local county and public health officials and assessing park operations on a daily basis to provide access to healthy outdoor options while maintaining required social/ physical distancing.

Everyone has the responsibility to “Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks.” Avoiding groups of people and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others is critical to slowing the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, please adhere to the following guidance:

• Stay home if you are sick.

• Stay close to home when you get outdoors. This is not the time for a road trip to a destination park or beach.

• Venture out only with people in your immediate household.

• Walk around the neighborhood and enjoy neighborhood parks.

• Always maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more when recreating in the outdoors. If you cannot maintain physical distancing, leave the park.

• Do not congregate in parks.

State Parks will continue to monitor visitation and physical distancing at all state park units, and if the safety measures implemented thus far are not sufficient to protect public health, additional measures may be taken to fully close parks, including trails, bathrooms and other amenities. State Park Peace Officers, in cooperation with allied law enforcement entities, will continue patrolling all state park units and enforcing all regulations.

To date, the department has implemented various safety measures such as temporarily closing all campgrounds, museums and visitor centers in the State Parks System; cancelling all events; and closing vehicular traffic to parks experiencing high visitation. As of today, all non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches, remain open. Day-use restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to bring soap for handwashing and to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.

California continues to issue guidance on preparing and protecting Californians from COVID-19. State Parks is monitoring the situation closely and is following guidance provided by the Governor’s Office via the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Protecting visitors and all who take care of state parks from the exposure to the pandemic disease is a top priority for the State of California.

State Parks has developed a one-stop resource center––www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve––to find park safety and closure information, and messaging and graphics from the “Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks” social media awareness campaign. Please check this webpage regularly, as it will be updated with new information as it becomes available. 

State Parks Announces Steps to Reduce Crowds to Help Slow Down Spread of Coronavirus

California State Parks announced on March 24 that it is taking additional safety measures to reduce crowds and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). As per the press release:

“Many state parks and beaches received record visitation over the weekend which made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social distancing practices. As a result, the department is working closely with local county and public health officials to modify park operations by closing vehicular traffic at some park units to reduce the density of visitors. A list of closures can be found online at www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve. State Park Peace Officers, in cooperation with allied law enforcement entities, will continue patrolling all state park units and enforcing all regulations.”

For more information, click here

RBOC Lobbies State Legislators on 2019 Boating Issues

Recreational Boaters of California [RBOC] held its annual legislative day in Sacramento on February 27, with attendees visiting and advocating on the 2019 state legislation in more than 40 meetings in the offices of Senators and Assembly Members in the State Capitol.

Constituent and issue-specific meetings with state legislators covered an array of policy issues directly impacting boaters including:

• State Parks Reorganization Plan

• Boater Funds Dedicated to Boater Programs

• Regulatory Overreach [BCDC]

• Copper-based Anti-fouling Paints

• Boating and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta [California WaterFix]

• Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation – AB 1111 [Friedman]

• Statutory Definition of Boat Operator – AB 1183 [Ramos]

• Vessel Impoundment – BUI – SB 393 [Stone]

• Boater Rights Aboard Their Vessels – AB 1718 [Levine] and SB 8 [Glazer]

• Chemical Toilet Deodorants – SB 317 [Caballero]

• 12-Month Fishing Licenses – AB 1227 [Obernolte] and AB 1387 [Wood]

For the Boater Issue Update on these issues: click here