02-02-2007, 12:14 PM
DES MOINES - Iowa's water resources will get a much-needed boost thanks to a new boater registration fee structure signed into law in 2005.
Beginning this year, boat owners will pay higher fees to register their boats. The increase, which varies depending on type and size of vessel, is expected to generate an additional $1 million annually for aquatic invasive species control, boater safety education and increasing water patrol efforts. Under the new law, boat owners will also only have to register their boats every three years, as opposed to every two under previous requirements. The last time boat registration fees were increased was in 1984.
"Increasing our efforts to provide additional water patrol and controlling invasive species are two consistent concerns we have heard from citizens," said Lowell Joslin, chief of the DNR's law enforcement bureau.
"We now have more than 200,000 registered boats in Iowa and water safety is a top concern for citizens and a top priority for our department," said Joslin, pointing out that citizens of the Iowa Great Lakes region successfully lobbied for night time speed limits in that area last year to address safety concerns.
Joslin said the threat of invasive species is also becoming a more urgent concern in Iowa, particularly now that zebra mussels have been documented in Clear Lake.
"Many invasive species such as zebra mussels can be spread by boating activity. Once some of these species get established in our waters, it can be difficult, expensive and, in some cases, even impossible, to get rid of them," Joslin said.
The law also requires anyone ages 12 through 17 to successfully complete a DNR-approved watercraft safety course before operating any vessel with a motor larger than 10 horsepower if a responsible adult age 18 or over who is an experienced operator is not present in the boat. It also corrects a previous law, stipulating no one under the age of 12 can operate a boat with a motor larger than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by an experience boater operator age 18 or older.
The additional revenue is expected to increase the number of water patrol officers on Iowa's major water areas, acquire water patrol and boater safety equipment and material and enhance Iowa's water trails development programs.
For more information, contact Alan Foster at 515-281-8874 [left] [/left][/url]
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Beginning this year, boat owners will pay higher fees to register their boats. The increase, which varies depending on type and size of vessel, is expected to generate an additional $1 million annually for aquatic invasive species control, boater safety education and increasing water patrol efforts. Under the new law, boat owners will also only have to register their boats every three years, as opposed to every two under previous requirements. The last time boat registration fees were increased was in 1984.
"Increasing our efforts to provide additional water patrol and controlling invasive species are two consistent concerns we have heard from citizens," said Lowell Joslin, chief of the DNR's law enforcement bureau.
"We now have more than 200,000 registered boats in Iowa and water safety is a top concern for citizens and a top priority for our department," said Joslin, pointing out that citizens of the Iowa Great Lakes region successfully lobbied for night time speed limits in that area last year to address safety concerns.
Joslin said the threat of invasive species is also becoming a more urgent concern in Iowa, particularly now that zebra mussels have been documented in Clear Lake.
"Many invasive species such as zebra mussels can be spread by boating activity. Once some of these species get established in our waters, it can be difficult, expensive and, in some cases, even impossible, to get rid of them," Joslin said.
The law also requires anyone ages 12 through 17 to successfully complete a DNR-approved watercraft safety course before operating any vessel with a motor larger than 10 horsepower if a responsible adult age 18 or over who is an experienced operator is not present in the boat. It also corrects a previous law, stipulating no one under the age of 12 can operate a boat with a motor larger than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by an experience boater operator age 18 or older.
The additional revenue is expected to increase the number of water patrol officers on Iowa's major water areas, acquire water patrol and boater safety equipment and material and enhance Iowa's water trails development programs.
For more information, contact Alan Foster at 515-281-8874 [left] [/left][/url]
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