TPWD weighs in on kayak registration.

[TKFStubb]

Since freshwater use of kayaks is growing as fast as it is, I think this response from TPWD is especially needed on this subject. Some of us will be going to Austin on March 21st to sit down and discuss alternative ways to fund our addiction. Your ideas are always valued.

Here's Carter Smith's message to kayakers....



TPWD Weighs-in on Kayak Registration Rumor:



Recently a TPWD employee saw this thread on TKF and e-mailed TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith to find out if there was any truth to the rumor that TPWD is seeking to register kayaks.



The short answer is no.



With Mr. Smith’s permission, I’m posting his reply to the TPWD employee here:



“As I understand it, the idea of registering kayaks has been floated in past years as a way to help fund conservation work, particularly for aquatic systems. Nothing has ever come of it. There is no such proposal on the table that I am aware of, and I haven't heard anything like that being proposed at the legislature.



“As you may be aware, the lion's share of our conservation funding comes from the sale of hunting and fishing license fees and associated revenues. That revenue stream is not sustainable, nor robust enough, to truly fund our land and water conservation work at the level it needs to be funded in order to meet the burgeoning pressures on our natural resources.



“As such, we need to explore other mechanisms to help augment revenue from hunting and fishing license fees to support conservation work that benefits anglers, hunters, kayakers, birders, hikers, nature enthusiasts, and all others who enjoy and appreciate Texas' great outdoors. It is a major challenge facing the agency, and we need all our outdoor enthusiasts and conservation partners to help us identify solutions.”



Speaking for myself, I would ask you to consider that the department has dipped into existing funds to help local communities survey, design interpretive materials and build launch sites for 15 coastal and inland paddling trails. Applications continue to pour in, and it looks as if we may add many more paddling trails this year.



TPWD also works creatively with communities, river authorities and others to fund paddling launch sites with federal “pass-through” grant dollars, and recently awarded the Kayak Anglers Society of America a $50,000 Community Outreach grant to fund that organization’s Heroes on the Water program.



As you can see from Carter’s response above, there is a sincere desire to engage outdoor enthusiasts in addition to the traditional “hook and bullet” crowd – which many of us who paddle also are part of. I truly believe the leadership of TPWD is open to your ideas and committed to working with the paddling community as a partner.



Aaron Reed (kayakrockport)

Wildlife & Fisheries Information Specialist

aaron.reed@tpwd.state.tx.us

512-389-8046

[okiet]

Personally when the registration issue was on the table a few years back I was for it. I felt the registerd serial number with a title would be a theft deturant.
It would make the resale of a yak dificult and with out a state sticker it would only be limited to privet water,
just my 2cents worth

[billy bobba]

For those of you who don't look at the Freshwater Forum - there is a lengthy thread there devoted to the topic:

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 2&t=112974" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Many good arguments are provided above opposing paddle craft registration.
I have a feeling paddlers will be fighting this again - for the 4th time in Texas !
Here are some more oppositional positions from organizations that have fought against registration in other states:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/755/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.paddleflausa.com/showpage.as ... gistration" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.paddleflausa.com/showpage.as ... paposition" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.paddleflausa.com/showpage.as ... caposition" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.paddleflausa.com/showpage.as ... esseltypes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MRSRIDE]

This issue comes up EVERY couple years, you may have noticed this thread information dated 2009... yet here again, it seems this idea is being tossed around. I attended a meeting about this subject in 2004... it is just something kayak owners need to be aware of if we care to have a choice or a hand in the process.

[pgardn]

If the money from registration would be used to lease new launch sites and conservation around existing launch sites I personally would pay almost anything the State asks.

But when one sees that the rainy day fund might for roads first, when the lottery which was supposed to go towards education does not get close to it... I am a skeptic.

And this should keep coming up as kayaks on the water continue to increase.

[Forever Fishing]

They promise sites and deliver the funds to the general budget. NO WAY! NO NEW TAXES!

[billy bobba]

They promise sites and deliver the funds to the general budget. NO WAY! NO NEW TAXES!

Yep -- one surely cannot count on any promises made to utilize the Paddling Tax for the benefit of the paddling community.

Consider how onerous this Paddling Tax would be for someone like Slowride (-- or even for me who owns 10 kayaks ).

[RumRunner]

All texans should have to pay for Texas conservation the burden shouldn't rest on the shoulders of those who actually get off the couch and enjoy it.

[shift_op]

I for one would vote "na" to any type of registration required for human powered water crafts.

And have a bill mandated for a federal tax break to those that choose to make use of alternative means of propulsion of any type of non-fossil fuel dependent personnel water crafts.

[mikedude]

NO to any registration!

[AlanC]

I for one would vote "na" to any type of registration required for human powered water crafts.

And have a bill mandated for a federal tax break to those that choose to make use of alternative means of propulsion of any type of non-fossil fuel dependent personnel water crafts.

X2

[5x5]

As I have posted before,

.
.
Totally against any fees.

And to those saying that buying a Kayak Fishing Stamp is acceptable, I call BS. It is not akin to Bowhunting since you get nothing extra for the fee. Bowhunters get a special hunting season so unless they are going to ban all power boaters from the water for a couple of months a year, it is not acceptable.

I buy a fishing license to FISH. Since I do not have a power boat any more, the kayak is my mode.

[Matyyaker]

Nope ! We should get a lower cost fishing license for using a paddle craft and " NOT " destroying the seagrass.

[AlanC]

Nope ! We should get a lower cost fishing license for using a paddle craft and " NOT " destroying the seagrass.

I would be happy to agree to that

[splinter169]

i for one believe the registration fees and taxes are just to line polititions pockets becouse i dont see much in the way of improvements on our waterways or education and roads

[G_Ride]

I have been thinking about selling my PB because of the hassle keeping up with boat tags and trailer tags when I don't use it much. I got into kayaking because it didn't have fees. I'm tired of fees for everything we do.

[billy bobba]

Here is an edited excerpt from the upcoming November 7th TPWD Commission work session agenda.
Note that paddle craft registration is an item listed for discussion. (shown in red).

re: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/fe ... ndex.phtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Work Session Agenda Item No. 9
Presenter: Jeremy Leitz

Work Session
Coastal User Working Group Report
November 7, 2012

I. Executive Summary: On March 1, 2012 the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) invited various representatives of recreational anglers and associated organizations to participate in a Coastal User Working Group (working group). The charge of this working group was to develop recommendations to protect seagrass and to reduce user conflict in Texas’ bays and estuaries and to tender a report to the TPWC by September 28, 2012. After multiple meetings the group developed nine recommendations to protect seagrass and five recommendations to reduce user conflict along the Texas coast. The working group felt the highest priority for protecting seagrass was for the state of Texas to develop a statewide regulation protecting seagrass. Six other high priority seagrass protection recommendations were developed including the production of detailed maps depicting seagrass locations, the development of tide indicators, and the creation of a seagrass awareness campaign. High priority user conflict recommendations include the development of a code of ethics, lowering the minimum age required for boater education, and working with other agencies to allow for more effective rookery signage to be placed near bird nesting islands.

II. Discussion: The working group was made up of nineteen members and was chaired by Robin Riechers, Director of the TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division. Members included representatives from various recreational fishing and wildlife groups, anglers, guides, airboaters, kayakers, researchers, birders, and TPWD Law Enforcement. The working group met monthly from April through August of 2012.

The working group developed a final list of five recommendations to help alleviate user conflict along the coast.

1. Develop a code of ethics
2. Lower minimum age required for boater education to include those born on or after September 2, 1971
3. Work with other agencies to allow for more effective rookery signage
4. Utilize similar tools used for invasive species campaigns to address user conflict
5. Require paddle craft registration

[billy bobba]

If interested enough - you may be able to listen to the TPWD staff presentation of the Coastal Users Work Group's recommendations, including paddle craft registration , during the TPWC work session, via live stream audio . On the day of the work session meeting , Nov 7th, a audio link should be available at this link:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/meetings/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If any TPW Commissioners have comments to make on the topic - you can listen in live.
If you don't catch it live, they usually archive both the audio and a transcript.

[preacher]

I really don't have a lot of heart burn over registration except to require stickon decals that don't stay stuck. I believe a $5.00 donation would help TPWL maybe do some more good things, but why not just have a card for wardens to check while they are checking license?

Also they are leaning toward a stronger 360 light requirement and maybe a PFD which both seem sane to me.

Another item is their leaning toward a 6 foot pole with flag which seems burdensome to me, I mean a paddler could wave a paddle if he thinks a PB doesn't see him.

The thought of paddle classes for new yak users born after 1971 is almost comical but I guess they are trying to develop safety.

[JaimeInTexas]

They are trying to control and get money.

[billy bobba]

I just listened through the archived audio of the TPW Commission Nov. 7th work session.
If you recall from previous posts - this is the TPWD meeting where TPWD staff was to present the recommendations of the Coastal Users Work Group (CUWG) to the TPW Commissioners , which includes their recommendation for paddle craft registration to reduce user conflicts.( yes - I know that sounds ridiculous ).

Here is the link to the archived audio of the work session:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... ession.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Below is noted the time line cues for the discussion of kayak registration. I have also included the timeline cues for a few other topics that saltwater kayak anglers might be interested in.


Timeline cursor cues :

Fish Harassment law language clarification / agenda item 5 begins @ 1:56:40

CUWG report presentation / agenda item 9 begins @ 2:44:20 (some discussion of a state wide seagrass protection regulation)
Kayak registration @ 2:51:50
Kayaks lighting @ 2:54:30
State wide seagrass regulation and kayak registration @ 2:58:40

[MRSRIDE]

Everyone should listen to the report from the Coastal User Work Group as reported by TPW.... I like the way TPW reports that paddlers were represented and you might note they mentioned getting a letter of concern from the boat manufacturing industry, but no other letters were mentioned.

[shift_op]

"their recommendation for paddle craft registration to reduce user conflicts"

I like to see what they refer to as USER CONFLICTS......

So if this is passed will funds be set aside to add additional access to public boat ramps to allow kayaks to launch without being in harms way on some of the high traffic launches..I really doubt it..

I think the only thing that we as paddlers will see is a Game warden coming up and checking to see if we are registered..


What should be addressed is kayaking safety..Over the years i'v seen some paddlers that under my breath made a small prayer for them, and I'm a man that don't make it to sunday mass very often. I hate standing on a soapbox

[billy bobba]

Aside from the particular pros and cons of the CUWG report, I think what is made clear is that the kayak angling / paddling community needs better representation and communication with TPWD.
You have to keep in mind, that for the most part TPWD staff and Commissioners are not paddlers or anglers. They have little understanding of your perspective on these issues, and very little incentive to become informed, unless kayak anglers organize and make the effort to educate them. If you don't take the time and effort to do so, you should be prepared to have other interests, such as the boating trades and manufacturers, calling the shots on these coastal angling issues. As MrsRide said, TPWD staff mentioned in the audio receiving communication from the Boating Trades Association of Texas (BTAT), but they did not mention paddler input. BTW - This is the same BTAT that did not bother to attend a major, 2 day, 100 person, work shop on coastal habitat conservation and user conflicts a few years ago - though they were personally invited several times.

Such "lobbying" of a state agency is very time consuming and effort intensive. That is why the Texas boat dealers have a paid lobbyist in Austin - the BTAT.
Someone mentioned in a prior post that perhaps kayak anglers should join some well established organization like the American Canoe Association, and begin communicating with them the particular concerns of Texas kayak anglers.
To me,this seems to be an excellent idea.

If some here on TKF want to get together, or communicate sometime for the purpose of contacting the ACA with Texas specific issues, I, for one, would be glad to attend.
Here is an excerpt from the ACA public policy page:

State Specific Issues

Whether it's carriage requirements in Massachusetts for low-light conditions, kayak fishing guide certifications in Texas, or "Patricks Law" in New York for lifejacket wear, the ACA routinely addresses issues important to paddlers at the state level.

Need help in your state? Fill out the ACA's Public Policy survey, the last question provides you with an opportunity for the ACA to review your state specific issue.
re: http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=Policy_Issues" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes - I know all this seems a far cry from the pure fun of kayak fishing, but unless we participate in the political process, we should not complain about the resultant policies that may be detrimental to paddlers.

[pgardn]

No assurance of purchasing/ leasing launching sites for kayaks and upkeep of those sites...

No registration fee.

I see launching sites going away and the abuse of said sites as one of the most important items for the money.

All PB and yaks should be aware of the seagrass issue as it affects everyone. Separate issues. If kayaks become really big ticket items that pollute, scare bird populations, tear up grass, used to carry illegal items (drugs), registration has validity.

Did you pick up trash/glass at your favorite launch site lately? Please help our coastal residents that care.