Lawmaker wants paddlers to pay

NoRegrets · 12-16-2010, 03:50 PM

I personally think it stinks. Human powered activity should not be managed by our government. It will take more money in administrative costs than will be earned by the fees (if kept reasonable).

It is one thing to manage cars, planes, and automobiles that are worth thousands and thousands of dollars vs. a few hundred dollar kayak.

If we use the rationalle that it is fair to register everything or require a permit of everyone that may need assistance then it may end up taking each person that uses the outdoors 6 months of time to fill out, submitt, and correct all the forms it will take to registor and get proper permits. The paper work and certification process would suck!

I have a boat, 2 kayaks, canoe, 3 bicycles (one tandom that would take special consideration) and 4 pairs of snow shoes. Maybe they can tax hicking boots or running shoes as they may need assistance. I am very very very afraid of the need for a nanny state. I do belive in self responsibility.

I hope everyone has a great holliday season and gets a chance to give charity to someone that deserves it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Yosemite Sam · 12-16-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoRegrets

I personally think it stinks. Human powered activity should not be managed by our government. It will take more money in administrative costs than will be earned by the fees (if kept reasonable).

It is one thing to manage cars, planes, and automobiles that are worth thousands and thousands of dollars vs. a few hundred dollar kayak.

If we use the rationalle that it is fair to register everything or require a permit of everyone that may need assistance then it may end up taking each person that uses the outdoors 6 months of time to fill out, submitt, and correct all the forms it will take to registor and get proper permits. The paper work and certification process would suck!

I have a boat, 2 kayaks, canoe, 3 bicycles (one tandom that would take special consideration) and 4 pairs of snow shoes. Maybe they can tax hicking boots or running shoes as they may need assistance. I am very very very afraid of the need for a nanny state. I do belive in self responsibility.

I hope everyone has a great holliday season and gets a chance to give charity to someone that deserves it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I bought some "hicking boots" one time and everybody called me Larry the Cable Guy!

jmen24 · 12-16-2010, 06:30 PM

If the government shouldn't regulate for human powered activity, then they should perhaps not provide the access or amenities for such activities.

There are many reasons that the state or federal gov't provides us with hiking trails and access points for water sports.

If folks had put their money where thier mouth was and donated money to groups that manage and maintain, then a fee like this would not be necessary.

How many times have you gone hiking up a mountain or on a trail or paddling down a river or stream and not given a second thought as to how you are able to do that, my guess is most of the time. Those trails and access points didn't just show up one day.

Heck, most people that are hiking on the mountains around here don't even know the proper trail etiquette for passing hikers in the opposite direction; do you? Very rarely do I observed that on any of the more accessible trails and you can tell the folks that don't know from a bend or two down the trail.

Personally, I would like to see more camping along our rivers in this state. Maine has 1000's of open camp sites along their rivers that are really well kept and make for great weeks on river. Not all of these are managed by private groups, more often, it is the state that provides and maintains these sites.

NH does not have any money for things like this and I am not thinking that this fee will provide for that, but it would be nice if the folks that are behind the writing of this bill, had these types of projects in mind.

12-16-2010, 03:50 PM	#1
NoRegrets Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hudson - NH Posts: 408 Thanks: 233 Thanked 212 Times in 88 Posts	I personally think it stinks. Human powered activity should not be managed by our government. It will take more money in administrative costs than will be earned by the fees (if kept reasonable). It is one thing to manage cars, planes, and automobiles that are worth thousands and thousands of dollars vs. a few hundred dollar kayak. If we use the rationalle that it is fair to register everything or require a permit of everyone that may need assistance then it may end up taking each person that uses the outdoors 6 months of time to fill out, submitt, and correct all the forms it will take to registor and get proper permits. The paper work and certification process would suck! I have a boat, 2 kayaks, canoe, 3 bicycles (one tandom that would take special consideration) and 4 pairs of snow shoes. Maybe they can tax hicking boots or running shoes as they may need assistance. I am very very very afraid of the need for a nanny state. I do belive in self responsibility. I hope everyone has a great holliday season and gets a chance to give charity to someone that deserves it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12-16-2010, 06:30 PM	#3
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	If the government shouldn't regulate for human powered activity, then they should perhaps not provide the access or amenities for such activities. There are many reasons that the state or federal gov't provides us with hiking trails and access points for water sports. If folks had put their money where thier mouth was and donated money to groups that manage and maintain, then a fee like this would not be necessary. How many times have you gone hiking up a mountain or on a trail or paddling down a river or stream and not given a second thought as to how you are able to do that, my guess is most of the time. Those trails and access points didn't just show up one day. Heck, most people that are hiking on the mountains around here don't even know the proper trail etiquette for passing hikers in the opposite direction; do you? Very rarely do I observed that on any of the more accessible trails and you can tell the folks that don't know from a bend or two down the trail. Personally, I would like to see more camping along our rivers in this state. Maine has 1000's of open camp sites along their rivers that are really well kept and make for great weeks on river. Not all of these are managed by private groups, more often, it is the state that provides and maintains these sites. NH does not have any money for things like this and I am not thinking that this fee will provide for that, but it would be nice if the folks that are behind the writing of this bill, had these types of projects in mind.

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