Issue The problem is that the Division of Parks and Recreation has purchased so much new land in Ohio it is having difficulty finding revenues to support the 74 state parks system for maintenance and improvements in Ohio and so legislators are looking at other revenue sources. Proposal #1: A legislator has proposed increasing the fees Ohio boating families pay to register their boats, then diverting the increased fees to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Parks and Recreation, instead of to the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund as currently mandated in the Ohio Revised Code. Proposal #2: In addition, the same legislator has said if BAO will not agree to the aforementioned proposal, he is planning to suggest that the Division of Watercraft and the Division of Parks and Recreation be merged. Proposal #3: In addition, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has proposed establishing a parking fee at State Parks by administrative rule. The rule provides that persons driving, towing or parking a bus or other licensed motor vehicle on any parking permit area must obtain a state park parking permit. The cost of an annual parking fee is $25 for a motor vehicle, $30 for a motor vehicle licensed outside of Ohio, and $250 for a bus. The daily parking permit is $5 for a motor vehicle, $6 for a motor vehicle licensed outside of Ohio, and $50 for a bus. Status The increase in registration fees for parks and the merging of the Divisions are currently proposals being discussed in regards to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Parks and Recreation budget in the biennial budget bill. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review is reviewing the parking fee rule on March 7, 2005. Background In at least some marinas operated by the Division of Parks and Recreation, the annual revenue received from boaters for dockage is significant. While some of that money may be used for marina maintenance, a substantial amount is used for non- boating related operations. Two things may be wrong with such a system: The facilities are often constructed with boater's monies through grants from the Ohio Waterway Safety Fund. After the boaters pay to construct the facility, they pay again to use it. Moreover, the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund does not benefit from the marina either through a payback system or a share of the operating proceeds. When the facilities become run down from age and/or lack of maintenance, the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund is usually asked to provide grants to rebuild or renovate the facilities. Again, there is no system to replenish the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund from the revenues of the rebuilt marina. The Division of Parks and Recreation has proposed spending $34.87 million beginning in July, 2005. This is almost $200,000 less that it spent in 2000. The parking fees are expected to raise $3 million in the first two years. Forty-four other states do charge parking fees. In regards to registration fees, BAO is on record as willing to support a nominal increase in boat registration fees to maintain current levels of service in the Division of Watercraft's safety and law enforcement programs; however, no such provision is included in the biennial budget bill at the current time. In regards to merging the Division of Parks and Recreation and the Division of Watercraft, this would not do anything to reduce actual costs and, therefore, would have no positive impact on our state budget problems. Both Divisions would be expected to maintain its appropriate levels of services to all Ohioans. The Division of Watercraft is entirely a user-pay, user-benefit system, solely supported with boater money through the Waterway Safety Fund, never receiving any General Revenue Funds; moreover, the Ohio Revised Code is very clear and specific as to where these funds come from and how they can be used. In addition, the Division of Watercraft is vastly different than that of Parks. The Division of Watercraft is responsible for safety, education, rescue and law enforcement on all the waters of Ohio, not just in our state park lakes. The lakes within Ohio's state parks cover 56,000 acres, but Ohio has some 3 million acres of water. In other words, 98% of Ohio's waterways are not in state parks. The Division of Watercraft has responsibilities that far exceed state park lakes. While the Division of Parks and Recreation appropriately serves those who actually use our state parks and related facilities, the Division of Watercraft serves all Ohioans. Watercraft officers are called out to lead flood rescues and ice rescues throughout the state, Summer and Winter, frozen or unfrozen. The Division of Watercraft is also now playing a major role in homeland security since it has been called on to provide the sole on-water homeland security of certain critical basic infrastructure facilities located on the Ohio River. On our northern border of Lake Erie, the Division of Watercraft has also been providing men, boats, and equipment in concert with the U. S. Coast Guard for homeland security missions. The cost of these operations are not reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security so those costs are paid out of the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund. The Division of Watercraft may be a relatively small agency, but its mission goes far beyond our state parks as it is called on to serve all Ohioans in ways most of us are not even aware of. BAO Position Any proposal that would raise boater registration fees and then divert them to the Division of Parks and Recreation or any other use draws our strongest opposition for the following reasons: Such a proposal would not be just "raising a fee" it would be a highly discriminatory tax imposed on one class of citizens, boaters. Ohio boaters currently contribute millions of dollars annually to the operations of Ohio's State Parks through the Ohio Waterway Safety Fund, which is funded solely by boaters in terms of dredging monies, on-water marine patrols, and monies earmarked for capital improvements. Boaters already directly contribute significantly to our State Parks. To single boaters out for another tax for Parks simply isn't reasonable. Any proposal to merge the Division of Watercraft with the Division of Parks and Recreation would be opposed by the BAO since it would simply fail to recognize the unique and necessary services each of these Divisions must deliver to all Ohioans. In addition, a comprehensive examination of revenue going into and coming from all marinas in State Parks is needed to determine if Ohio's boaters and the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund are receiving fair and reasonable treatment under existing methods of operation and Park policies. If it is determined that new policies are needed, than such action should be pursued. BAO is in favor of some other mechanism, as a dedicated revenue stream to fund the Division of Parks and Recreation and have been neutral on the parking issue; however, BAO would favor user fees in state parks, as parking fees over taking watercraft dollars. According to one legislator, a $2.50 checkoff on motor vehicle reistrations would raise at least twice what the park fee will generate. Action You Can Take Tell your legislator you are opposed to raising boater registration fees and then divert them to the Division of Parks and Recreation and you are opposed to merging the two Divisions. Back to Current Issues Index

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