EDITORIALS
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Efforts to grow boating by reaching out to people and increasing their awareness of participation in the sport come in many different forms, but they all need money to succeed. Where do we get the funds to improve boating? The answer to this question will go a long way in determining the future success or failure of recreational boating and fishing.
When we look at sources of funds to promote, develop, and grow recreational boating and fishing, our immediate response is to turn to the big players in the industry, i.e., the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Great Lakes Boating Federation, and the individual state and regional marine trade associations, such as the Michigan Boating Industries Association, New York Marine Trade Association, and the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association. One does not have to be a mind reader to know that these organizations and associations are all hurting. In fact, the “Great Recession” had a far more adverse effect on them and the boating industry than has been reported in the press. The next area we turn to for funding and one of the most obvious sources is the federal government. We know that the government provides money to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging harbors, to specific marinas for pumpout equipment via the Clean Vessel Act, and to marinas for transient docking facilities. Funds for these latter two efforts come directly from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund that doles out approximately $450 million each year. There are two important things to note. The fi rst is that each year 10 percent of the trust funds go for boating access, translating into the Boating Infrastructure Grant programs to build transient boating docks. The problem is that there are plenty of transient docks in the Great Lakes.
Because we don’t need any more docks, let’s use the money for more pressing and effective options, such as supporting the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s efforts to increase boating and fishing among Hispanics or Discover Boating’s efforts to att ract prospective boaters through TV advertising. The second thing to note is that the Trust Fund money comes from boaters as a tax on gear and gas fuels and should go back to benefit the payers, i.e., the boaters. The problem is that the government never asks boaters how and where they would like to see the money spent to benefit the industry. Maybe this is too simple, but the answers might surprise the people who dole out the money. One fi nal thought: The money from this trust fund has made a difference in boating. One of the main recipients of trust fund money is the U.S. Coast Guard, which uses the funds for its own boating safety and education programs and awards grants to states for boating safety education and training efforts. A look at the latest statistics on boating accidents and deaths reveals a hugely successful effort. In 2012, the boating industry recorded the fewest deaths since the USCG began keeping records. The boating industry needs more fi nancial resources to be successful, and it should ask the federal government for funds. We must hold the federal government more accountable for the way it spends boaters’ tax dollars. Instead of ignoring recreational boaters and sportsfishermen, the federal government must listen to them and provide the money needed to maintain boating and fishing as two of our nation’s most favorite pastimes.
Agree? Disagree? Want to Comment? EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO LET TERS@GREATLAKESBOATING.COM
8 GLB | Jan/Feb 14