Samiam,
Let me help set the record straight:
1) Bass Boats cost an average of $30,000 to 35,000 or more, and most of the owners purchase a new boat about every 3 years. Add to that another $30,000 for a tow vehicle every 4 to 5 years. Now add at least $1,000 in tackle every year, tournament entry fees, $100's in fuel, $300 to $500 in maintenance, $100's in launch fees, $100's in Hotel fees, $1,000's in access fees for rental of sites to host events, etc. Those numbers are substantial contributions to the economy. ( please note that the boating public also pays taxes. These taxes may not be as much as you pay on your waterfront home, but when you add the cost of the items listed, your bill is less. I don't own a pleasure boat and hope that somone on the board that trailers thaeir pleasure boat to a variety of lakes can comment on their costs and access rights.
2) The organization I belong to ( North East Bass Association of New Hampshire ) ( this is the largest non-profit group in NH ) does NOT hold tournaments during the spawn season. All organizations MUST release all fish they catch back into the water ( this is mandated ). Our average kill ratio is less than 3%. I will assume that someone will comment on delayed mortality which is an unknown number. Even if it was 25% to 50% that still a substantial difference from 100% on trout & salmon. ( by the way, those Bass that are guarding the beds are Males - once they have spawned - the ladies go off on their own )
3) Just a technical FYI:
New outboards are HPDI or Ficht technology and in many cases they are 4 stroke engines. The new 2 strokes are more fuel efficient and produce less emissions than ever before. They also exceed the California emissions standards.
Summary:
Please review these tidbits and perhaps you would like to re-state your comments.
Waterfront owners and those that are not privileged to have a waterfront home own the water all the way up to the high water mark on your property. I would hope that no-one ever gets that close to your property, and in return, you should recognize their privilege to have access to the public waterways.
Now back to the initial intention of this post:
The lake in discussion ( Winnisquam ) belongs to the PUBLIC. Access to this facility for boating of all types ( power, paddle, wind ) is a right that the public is entitled to and deserves. If you don't agree, please check NH regulations, Federal level = Dingall-Johnson Act & Wallop-Breaux Act. Once you have done this you will likely have a better understanding of the rights that the pubic is entitled to.
John/NH
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