State wants opinions on possible fee increases for boaters

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State is considering sharp increases in fees for boaters.

The state Parks Department sent out a survey Tuesday asking for boaters’ opinions and outlining some of the new possible fees.

Among the ideas the state is testing:

• Charging boaters for use of state buoys during the day.  Currently, boaters only pay for overnight stays.
• Charging $15 a night for an overnight stay on a buoy. The current price is $12.
• Charging $.80/foot for use of marine park floats. The current price is $.60 a foot.
• An optional "seasonal" permit that would only allow moorage during summer months. Currently, the permit is annual.
• A new fee for anyone using a marine park during the day
• Asking for an annual $5 donation when people register their boats
• Charging a $3 fee on boat trailers

To explain why the State is exploring new fees, it wrote, “Since 2009, the agency has lost almost 80 percent of its tax support, and moorage fees are well below market rates. Results from the survey will help guide State Parks in developing a sustainable funding structure as it takes a more market-based approach to managing all of its facilities. “

If you want to tell the state what you think should happen, the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MarineParks

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