RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- April 2023 -

Help Us Find the Perfect Executive Director

RBAW is excited about the next step towards organizational growth which will enable even more focus and engagement on recreational boating priorities. The RBAW Board of Directors is actively seeking an Executive Director to take on the day-to-day operations of RBAW, with the Board continuing to define the direction and execute.  Please share this job posting with your networks to help us get the word out, and if you know someone who’d be perfect . . .have them apply!

Vessel Distances from Southern Resident
Orcas Changing (SB 5371)

This bill has passed both the Senate and House and now will head to the Governor’s desk for action, where we expect the Governor to sign the bill into law.

The legislation will increase the distance a vessel must maintain from a southern resident orca (SRKW) from a 300/400 yard oval, to 1,000 yards total. While RBAW supports protecting the SRKW's and marine life, RBAW President Bob Wise testified at multiple hearings raising questions regarding how vessel operators would be able to see 1,000 yards away (almost 6/10^th of a mile), how they would identify the kind of orca from that distance, and how this new law would be enforced. While testimony from Bob was well received, legislators were not willing to budge on the mandatory 1,000-yard distance requirement citing new science that shows vessel noise can disturb foraging behavior from these SRKW's that are an endangered species.

RBAW worked with legislators to improve this policy every step of the way. Language was included that would delay implementation of this new law until January 1, 2025 to allow time to educate boaters; enable officer discretion to offer educational material in lieu of issuing an infraction; allow a vessel operator to disengage their transmission within 400 yards of a southern resident orca and not be fined; and the establishment of a stakeholder workgroup to develop outreach and education strategies for best practices. 

Updates on Lakebay Marina Funding Proposals

The Lakebay Marina project is still seeking funding and progress is being made through various grant applications and funding requests. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted a grant application for the Boating Facilities Program, but the project scored lower for available funds than some larger-scale projects that are ready for construction. DNR can reapply next year. 

Meanwhile, RBAW is leading a request for $1 million from the legislature. This funding would cover the replacement of an underground storage tank and fuel tank, re-establishing a fuel pump at the marina, and extending the boat ramp to create additional slips for boaters. The request was not included in this session’s proposed House or Senate budgets. However, RBAW’s lobbyist, Trevor Justin, continues to work with the project team that remains committed to pursuing funding options and moving forward with planning and permitting for the project. 

Where to Put the Waste?
Funding for Mobile Pump Out Services 

RBAW continues to work with a coalition of environmental groups, recreational boating organizations, tug operators and Washington State Parks on a 2023-25 Capital Budget request of $1.8 million to extend pump out capacity in the state. Half of this request ($1 m) is for expanding mobile pump-out capacity in the state, while the remaining $800K is to establish a commercial pump out operation for commercial vessels likely to be located at the Port of Anacortes. State Rep. Julia Reed from the 36^th legislative district and State Senator Liz Lovelett from the 40^th legislative district are the champions for this request. This funding was allocated in the proposed Senate Capital budget, but was not included in the proposed House Capital budget. Conversation with the budget writers will continue to advocate for the money to be in the final Capital budget. 

Mind the Zone Funding
for Lake Union Water Safety Initiative

Efforts to continue funding for the water safety initiative on Lake Union relating to ‘Mind the Zone’ turn to the state legislature. With $122,000 secured from the City of Seattle for summer 2023-2024, an additional $100,000 has been requested to continue the state funding set to expire on June 30, 2023. As state projected revenues are down for the 23-25 and 25-27 bienniums, this budget request appears unlikely this session, however, RBAW continues to advocate for funding with the lead budget writers. 

Modifying Boater Safety and Education Requirements (SB 5597/HB 1781) 

These companion bills sought to require operators of “human powered vessels” ie. paddle boards, kayaks, etc. to obtain boating safety education by establishing a new Paddlecraft Education Card program and made several undesirable modifications to current Boaters’ Education Card program. RBAW testified in opposition to these proposals. Both bills did not pass out of the policy committee and will not be considered further this session. 

Derelict Structures (SB 5433/HB 1378) 

RBAW is supportive of the DNR legislation regarding derelict structures and incentive funds for marina operators. DNR sent RBAW this legislation to seek stakeholder feedback and incorporated RBAW provided comments. President Bob Wise testified in support of this legislation. The Senate bill has passed and awaits a vote in the House. 

JLARC Study on “Activities Supporting Recreational Boating in Washington” 

Included on the legislative agenda this year is a priority to refresh a December, 2010 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) study on activities supporting recreational boating in Washington state. When the last report was completed, findings showed that the state collected $70.9 million in boating-related revenue during the 2007-2009 biennium, while spending only $54 million on recreational boating services and activities. Given this study is roughly 13years old, RBAW’s lobbyist worked with Senator John Braun from the 20^th legislative district to include language in the state operating budget that would authorize JLARC to update this report. Now this language has been included in the Senate operating budget proposal and RBAW will advocate that this is maintained in the final budget. 

Watercraft Excise Tax Discussions Ongoing 

RBAW continues to work with the Department of Revenue to fix some fundamental inequities in the Depreciation Schedule being used to assess boaters the ½ of 1% Watercraft Excise Tax they pay each year. This is less of a Depreciation Schedule based on the purchase price of a vessel and more of an analysis of ongoing market value of the vessel. RBAW’s concerns center on what is considered an unreasonable value of vessels purchased 14-15 or more years ago. RBAW is exploring if there can be a fix in the regulatory realm or if there needs to be a legislative fix for the 2024 legislative session. RBAW continues to work with DOR (Department of Revenue) trying to find a mutually agreeable solution with the next meeting scheduled for early May. 

Reducing Plastic Pollution (HP 1085) 

House bill 1085 was introduced with the goal of reducing plastic pollution and included a provision prohibiting expanded or extruded plastic foam in overwater structures including docks, floats, walkways and other structures. Unfortunately, the current industry standard polystyrene tubs used to replace old open foam and shrink-wrapped floats are filled with foam for structural integrity and would be outlawed. RBAW worked closely with the NW Marine Trade Association to negotiate compromised language that permits these types of encased structures meeting minimum wall thickness standards. The bill was amended to incorporate agreed to language and now RBAW is neutral on the legislation. 

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