STATE PARKS MEETING A State Parks Fee Committee meeting was held October 20, 2005 at the Puget Sound Region Headquarters in Auburn, WA. Most of the meeting was devoted to non-salt water and land based parks issues, but the last hour of the meeting was about boating issues; fees, permits and discussion of some boater concerns that had been e-mailed to RBAW. For the balance of 2005 and for 2006, fees for docks, buoys and annual permits will not change. Also, while State Parks is aware of suggestions for the redesign of the annual permit or possibly the issue of a special buoy only permit, nothing will change through at least the end of 2006. Please remember that these fees are based on the registered or documented length of your vessel. Currently 45 feet is the maximum allowed length for use of State Park mooring buoys. This restriction has been in effect for many years and in all probability the boaters most impacted by this restriction are those who went from 45 foot to 47 foot Bayliners. On October 29th, at the Annual RBAW meeting, a State Parks representative will be addressing the meeting on the new auger buoy system, the possibility of buoy only "no anchor zones"(at present this is only a study, not a done deal) and the possibility, because of increased holding strength, of providing mooring buoys that will accommodate boats larger than 45 feet. The information provided by State Parks should appear in the next RBAW newsletter and on the RBAW website. Not all State Parks, like Kopachuck, Eagle Island, Saddlebag and some others require payment of an overnight moorage fee. This information is available by going to www.parks.wa.gov/moorage/parks or obtaining Parks brochure "Marine Parks and Moorage", publication 45-70100-8 from any Parks Regional Headquarters and should be available at fee charging Marine Parks. The State Parks publication "Adventures In Boating (Washington) Handbook" use to carry Parks moorage information but stopped with the 2003 edition. Parks is trying to get this information back in the "Handbook" but isn't sure if will be able to meet the 2006 printing deadline. It is hoped that some of the available commercial publications will also start providing this information. Occasionally, either for routine maintenance or because of weather damage, Parks will remove advertised buoys and the information will probably not show up on the Parks website. If concerned contact Parks. Normally, unless a hazard to navigation exists or boater safety is involved, items related to State Parks will not appear in NOTAMs or be broadcast on NOAA radio or by the USCG. RBAW, along with State Parks, has long been aware of the problem of boaters, local and transient, using Park facilities without registering and/or overstaying time restraints. The RBAW website, Parks page, has had coverage on this matter for sometime - please review. And now for the answer everyone has been wanting to hear: There is NO LONGER a requirement for Annual Moorage Permit holders to register. This change actually went into effect over a year ago, but it has taken time to get the word out to all Parks personnel and to all volunteer help. Changing signs will also take time, though admittedly it didn't take too long to post new moorage rates. RBAW is also remiss in not making an effort to get the word out sooner. This change was basically brought about by annual permit holder's complaints and the need for the State to more accommodate physically impaired boaters. The State still requests, and RBAW thinks it is a good idea, that when convenient annual permit holder register. This helps with recording park usage and also provides a means for emergency contact. Make sure to place your annual moorage permit (it must be affixed to the vessel) where it will be most visible to park personnel, not where it looks best esthetically. This means the decal should be placed where is will not be covered by privacy screens, window curtains, dingys or inside the cockpit. A suggestion, most skippers have a "sweet side" that they prefer to dock on. Place the decal in the corner of a rear side window on that side. Whether you purchase an annual permit or pay each night for moorage it is suggested that you keep a few moorage envelopes on board. The envelope can then be filled out before you leave your boat. Vandalism is an ongoing problem at State Parks and keeping a few envelopes on board will eliminate the problem of getting to a registration station and finding there a not any envelopes or something to write with. Unfortunately, meeting time ran out before all boater concerns could be addressed, but State Parks is aware of those concerns and would like to be advised if the problems that created those concerns re-occur. RBAW can be contacted at www.rbaw.org and State Park website may accessed through The RBAW website. Please remember that the State Park facilities are for everyone's use, courtesy should be the byword. John A. Dawson RBAW State Parks Delegate Trustee - RBAW Home | About RBAW | Boater News | Events Calendar Our Members | You Can Help | Join RBAW | Contact Us Design & Development by Dan Larsen