Quote:
Originally Posted by dave603
So now it's a fee increase for NH registered craft only!
No wonder they didn't publish it outright.
What a way to weasel a fee increase through.
|
I think your cynicism is misplaced. The bill, as written, was not going to work out, so they took advantage of the structure to get to the same goal, that being increased funding for water quality. Yes, it is a fee increase. How else can we address accelerated lake aging? I'd like to see other watershed usage fees too, such as shoreline septic, driveway and roofline fees. The efforts to slow down water quality decay, and in some cases, to improve it, are not well coordinated, because of lack of funding. Without pristine water, the attraction to NH, and its economic engine changes. Property values decline in poor quality areas. The species of fish and plants can change.
Seeing a fee increase that is tied to specific programs is encouraging to me. The folks at DES that are involved with watershed management, are a bright light when it comes to the quality of government - so any funds that be moved in their direction gets my support.