TAKE ACTION: Save Cal Boating

Byline: The Log Staff

Recreational Boaters of California and BoatUS have issued an alert to boaters: Speak up and contact Gov. Jerry Brown, California state legislators and the Little Hoover Commission to inform them of the importance of keeping Cal Boating as a separate department, to safeguard the future of boating in California.

Click HERE to send an email message to the governor, your state Senate representative, your state Assembly representative and Daniel W. Hancock, chairman of the Little Hoover Commission.

Here is sample text, provided by Recreational Boaters of California president Cleve Hardaker, that may be copied and pasted in the message section:

I strongly oppose your proposal to eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) and re-constitute the department as a division within the Department of Parks and Recreation. Eliminating Cal Boating has already been soundly rejected four times, when it was proposed by Gov. Pete Wilson in 1992 and 1996, and it was proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003 and 2009. The reasons Cal Boating must continue remain just as vital today:

Cal Boating provides accountability, transparency and leadership regarding the collection and use of boater derived taxes and fees, and the best uses of these funds for programs to benefit boating.

Eliminating Cal Boating would not save a single General Fund dollar. The department is funded by boater fuel tax dollars, registration fees, and interest payments on infrastructure loans. Eliminating the department would not help resolve the current budget crisis.

Cal Boating creates jobs through loans and grants of boater fund for boating infrastructure throughout the state that ensures boater access to waterways.

This State’s more than 3 million boating enthusiasts must have a department with a director whose primary focus is boating. Cal Boating has a compact organizational structure and administers boating programs in a timely and non-bureaucratic manner. Its statutory charter is directly boating-related.

While I understand the importance of finding savings during these difficult times, eliminating Cal Boating would not help resolve the state’s fiscal problems, and would jeopardize programs and services which the boating community has determined to be essential and is willing to finance.

I urge you to withdraw and reject the proposal to eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating).