This has been going around in some fashion for many years. There are some valid points for the user’s fee but most of it requires monies collected to go to the CLA. The state ramp fees all go to the General fund. CLA wants a portion of those revenues from the daily users. But there is no mention of taking money from the boats moored on the lake. There are 6000 boats moored on the lake. I am not sure what the percentage is when it come to marinas, homeowners or homeowner associations but the total was tated last year as being 6000 as reported by the CLA . The people that moor their boats feel that they pay enough. The homeowners feel they pay enough. So let’s take it out on the ramp users. I pay a Ramp fee in New Milford to launch my boat $150 American, Hard earned dollars. Yet I am told that I have to launch from Squantz to fish a tournament because the residents don't want to hear a boat before 7:00. It is okay to water Ski all night if you want to though, or be skiing at first questionable safe light. So now I have to pay again at the ramp... Why should I??? Yes I live next to the lake and I pay dearly for that privilege in additional taxes, being recreational property. A user fee is not the answer to reducing the number of boats on the lake but there are those that will tell you that is their personal agenda, especially to eliminate bass tournaments, if they think you agree with them. Let’s see 100 boats at Latin’s, 75 at Squantz even if you were to up that to 250 boats total on a day when every trailer was parked fender to fender. What would be the impact of getting them off the water? If you have 100 tournament boats on the lake what is the real impact of taking 100 of them off? I use that number because the DEP is now only issuing permits for 1/2 the ramp capacity. Let’s do the math 100/6000= 1.6% 100 boats following safety guidelines vs. the 6000 that almost all are being partied on. The crowds DO NOT COME FROM THE STATE RAMPS..just look at the numbers . They come from the moored boats be it marinas, homeowners, or associations. There are too many boats moored on the lake. You also now have people adding to their personal docks so that they can rent the extra space out to others.

I have challenged many a person when they start the safety thing with this little bet. I will give them 100 dollars for every beer they can find in a bass boat that is participating in a bass tournament. They in turn give me 10 dollars for each one I find on a boat being partied on. I can’t seem to find any takers yet. But I am still trying.
SOrry about the long rant this burns my backside a bit.