RALEIGH — A Senate committee this week approved legislation to increase state fees on larger recreational boats to fund shallow inlet dredging projects despite opposition from some recreational boating enthusiasts in attendance at the hearing.
Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, the bill’s sponsor, said he looked at myriad options before settling on the boat fee increases to replace defunct federal funding for these projects.
Brown said the shallow inlet dredging projects are an issue of statewide importance as many travel to the coast for boating recreation.
“These inlets are kind of like highways on the coast,” he said.
Brown said the increase in fees on larger boats would generate additional funds to the tune of roughly $6 million. Local municipalities will have to match dollar for dollar to pull down the funds from the Shallow Draft Inlet Dredging Fund.
Brown said the matching requirement places a burden on local municipalities to “make sure these projects are worthy.” It costs about $12 million a year to dredge the state’s shallow inlets.
A share of boat registration revenue would continue to go into the Wildlife Resource Fund to pay for boating and water-related projects.
Jim Hardin, a compliance manager with Grady-White Boats Inc., based in Greenville, said before the committee hearing that he thought the increases were too onerous for recreational boat owners.
Hardin said Brown may have underestimated the opposition to the measure.
A boat number certificate currently costs $15 for one year or $40 for three years, regardless of size. If the bill becomes law, for boats under 14 feet, certificates would remain at $15 for one year, and increase to $45 for three years. But owners of big boats will be asked to cough up significantly more. A one-year permit for a boat more than 40 feet long would cost owners 10 times the current cost: $150.
The Agriculture/Environmental/Natural Resources Committee approved the legislation without opposition.