State Parks
State Parks and Customs & Border Protection
June 1, 2011
The Washington State Marine Parks system offers some of the best boating in the United State and possibly some of the besting boating in the world. When combined with water access available on state recreation land managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural resources there are almost 700 access points available to boaters.
In the past most of the funds needed to maintain and improve state recreation land has been provided by tax revenue from the state General Fund. Because of the state budget crises and the lack of revenue to help support state recreation land, legislation (2SSB5622) was introduced that shifts support to a user-pay approach. This legislation created the Discover Pass which, when purchased, allows individuals to access Washington State Parks and other state recreation land. This legislation was fully supported by RBAW. Information on the Discover Pass can be found by going to www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
The question for most boaters is how does the Discover pass affect me? In reality, for most boaters it won`t. The Discover Pass is a vehicle pass for admission to state recreation land and will be required starting July 1, 2011.
The only boaters who will actually need a Discover Pass for boating purposes are those who desire to launch their boat on state recreation land managed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources.
Boaters who use State Parks launch sites need to purchase a “Natural Investment Permit” (this has been required for the past several years) and possession of this permit waives the need for a Discover Pass to access these sites.
Boaters who access Marine State Parks by water do not need a Discover Pass. The overnight moorage fee charged at most Marine State Parks is, in fact, a form of user-pay access.
Boaters are encouraged to go to www.parks.wa.gov/boating and review all the links to familiarize themselves with fee and permit costs.
For boaters who access Marine State Parks by water, for the balance of 2011 there will, in all probability, be no increase in overnight moorage fees; however, these fees have not changed since 2003 and will probably be reviewed later this year with the possibility of a fee increase in coming years.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advises that there are no changes at this time to border crossing procedures or documentation requirements. As a reminder border crossing information can be found at www.getyouhome.gov or www.cbp.gov .
Boaters are reminded that the Department of Licensing (DOL) no longer mails out registration renewal forms and all existing registration expires on June 30th, 2011. More information on registration renewal may be found by going to www.parks.wa.gov/boating then click on the State Boating Portal.
Have a safe and enjoyable boating season.
John Dawson
RBAW State Parks Rep
Blake Island State Park Revises Buoy Restrictions
State Parks has advised RBAW that after further review of the mooring buoy situation at Blake Island State Park they are going to revise the length restrictions for the buoys. Right now the restriction is at 36 feet maximum boat size on all buoys at Blake Island.
A few of the buoys (2 or 3) on the Southwest corner of the Island will still be restricted to a maximum boat length of 36 feet. However the length restriction on the balance of the buoys will be increased back up to 45 feet.
Normal rafting restrictions will remain the same. The Parks web-site and information tape message will be revised to reflect the change.
Parks will continue to monitor the buoy losses that were the original cause for the more restrictive mooring lengths.
STATE PARKS/CUSTOMS and BORDER PROTECTION - 2011
John Dawson, RBAW Trustee
Download to a printable format...
April 9, 2011
Until the legislative session now underway in Olympia is complete there is not much to report.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting on March 24th in Olympia and park fees was one of the topics. This meeting was more of a fact-finding session and nothing was determined. There will be another meeting the latter part of May where new fees or fee increases should be decided.
If SSB 5622, the Discover Pass Bill, is passed then a review of all fee policies will probably take place. Under WAC 352-32-250 (Standard fees charged) there are certain instances where registered overnight guests have additional fees waived and the impact of the Discover Pass on these waived fees has yet to determined.
While there has yet to be direct mention of increasing overnight moorage rates for Marine State Parks the probability of, at some point, these fees being reviewed and subject to increase is fairly certain. There are two main reasons for the fee review:
1. The State’s budget problems
2. Park moorage fees have not been reviewed or increased since 2003
Boaters using State Parks Annual Moorage Permits are reminded that, if possible, they should register when they stay at a park dock or buoy. Registering helps Parks if there is a need to locate a boater and also helps Parks keep track of park usage.
Registering is not required at parks where no overnight fee is charged.
State Parks has explained that the shorter length restriction (36 ft.) on the mooring buoys around Blake Island is an attempt to reduce buoy loss. Apparently the increased tidal and wave action around Blake has placed additional strain on the buoy mooring tackle and buoys are breaking loose. Parks are reviewing whether or not the restriction needs to continue to be placed on all of Blake's buoys.
At this time there are no proposed changes to the procedures or required documentation for boater when returning to the US from Canada. There is a change however for those boaters who wish to obtain an
I-68.
To obtain an I-68 a boater must already have and present, when applying, a WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant document. This means a US Passport, US Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Trusted Traveler Program Card.
More information can be found at http://www.getyouhome.gov or at http://www.cbp.gov and click on travel.
This information is current as of April 9, 2011.
June 1, 2011
The Washington State Marine Parks system offers some of the best boating in the United State and possibly some of the besting boating in the world. When combined with water access available on state recreation land managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural resources there are almost 700 access points available to boaters.
In the past most of the funds needed to maintain and improve state recreation land has been provided by tax revenue from the state General Fund. Because of the state budget crises and the lack of revenue to help support state recreation land, legislation (2SSB5622) was introduced that shifts support to a user-pay approach. This legislation created the Discover Pass which, when purchased, allows individuals to access Washington State Parks and other state recreation land. This legislation was fully supported by RBAW. Information on the Discover Pass can be found by going to www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
The question for most boaters is how does the Discover pass affect me? In reality, for most boaters it won`t. The Discover Pass is a vehicle pass for admission to state recreation land and will be required starting July 1, 2011.
The only boaters who will actually need a Discover Pass for boating purposes are those who desire to launch their boat on state recreation land managed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources.
Boaters who use State Parks launch sites need to purchase a “Natural Investment Permit” (this has been required for the past several years) and possession of this permit waives the need for a Discover Pass to access these sites.
Boaters who access Marine State Parks by water do not need a Discover Pass. The overnight moorage fee charged at most Marine State Parks is, in fact, a form of user-pay access.
Boaters are encouraged to go to www.parks.wa.gov/boating and review all the links to familiarize themselves with fee and permit costs.
For boaters who access Marine State Parks by water, for the balance of 2011 there will, in all probability, be no increase in overnight moorage fees; however, these fees have not changed since 2003 and will probably be reviewed later this year with the possibility of a fee increase in coming years.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advises that there are no changes at this time to border crossing procedures or documentation requirements. As a reminder border crossing information can be found at www.getyouhome.gov or www.cbp.gov .
Boaters are reminded that the Department of Licensing (DOL) no longer mails out registration renewal forms and all existing registration expires on June 30th, 2011. More information on registration renewal may be found by going to www.parks.wa.gov/boating then click on the State Boating Portal.
Have a safe and enjoyable boating season.
John Dawson
RBAW State Parks Rep
Blake Island State Park Revises Buoy Restrictions
State Parks has advised RBAW that after further review of the mooring buoy situation at Blake Island State Park they are going to revise the length restrictions for the buoys. Right now the restriction is at 36 feet maximum boat size on all buoys at Blake Island.
A few of the buoys (2 or 3) on the Southwest corner of the Island will still be restricted to a maximum boat length of 36 feet. However the length restriction on the balance of the buoys will be increased back up to 45 feet.
Normal rafting restrictions will remain the same. The Parks web-site and information tape message will be revised to reflect the change.
Parks will continue to monitor the buoy losses that were the original cause for the more restrictive mooring lengths.
STATE PARKS/CUSTOMS and BORDER PROTECTION - 2011
John Dawson, RBAW Trustee
Download to a printable format...
April 9, 2011
Until the legislative session now underway in Olympia is complete there is not much to report.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting on March 24th in Olympia and park fees was one of the topics. This meeting was more of a fact-finding session and nothing was determined. There will be another meeting the latter part of May where new fees or fee increases should be decided.
If SSB 5622, the Discover Pass Bill, is passed then a review of all fee policies will probably take place. Under WAC 352-32-250 (Standard fees charged) there are certain instances where registered overnight guests have additional fees waived and the impact of the Discover Pass on these waived fees has yet to determined.
While there has yet to be direct mention of increasing overnight moorage rates for Marine State Parks the probability of, at some point, these fees being reviewed and subject to increase is fairly certain. There are two main reasons for the fee review:
1. The State’s budget problems
2. Park moorage fees have not been reviewed or increased since 2003
Boaters using State Parks Annual Moorage Permits are reminded that, if possible, they should register when they stay at a park dock or buoy. Registering helps Parks if there is a need to locate a boater and also helps Parks keep track of park usage.
Registering is not required at parks where no overnight fee is charged.
State Parks has explained that the shorter length restriction (36 ft.) on the mooring buoys around Blake Island is an attempt to reduce buoy loss. Apparently the increased tidal and wave action around Blake has placed additional strain on the buoy mooring tackle and buoys are breaking loose. Parks are reviewing whether or not the restriction needs to continue to be placed on all of Blake's buoys.
At this time there are no proposed changes to the procedures or required documentation for boater when returning to the US from Canada. There is a change however for those boaters who wish to obtain an
I-68.
To obtain an I-68 a boater must already have and present, when applying, a WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant document. This means a US Passport, US Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Trusted Traveler Program Card.
More information can be found at http://www.getyouhome.gov or at http://www.cbp.gov and click on travel.
This information is current as of April 9, 2011.
| State Parks/Customs and Border Protection - 2011 |
| Customs and Border Protection - 2010 Update |
| Marine Parks - Spring 2010 Update |
| How to Get Info on Washington Marine Parks and Annual Permits |