I presented an alternative proposal this afternoon which was a statewide permit for all public access lakes with the funds collected to be deposited in a specific account, by law, administered by the DEP boating/lakes management division and the funds to be distributed only to lake authorities of public access lakes with each share determined by lake boat census determined again by negotiation with each specific lake authority and the DEP. All Ct. resident boating users pay one fee to the state per year for all public access lakes. No specific Candlewood Lake sticker.
Out of state boaters pay more, on a percentage increase equivalent to a resident fishing license versus a non-resident fishing license. All out of state boaters must present a Ct. Safe Boating Certificate or an equivalent from their state or the permit will not be issued to them similar to an out of state hunter having to present a hunter safety certificate or a previous Ct. license or a license from their state issued in the last five years.
The legislature must pass expanded liability protection laws to protect lake authorities, towns, the DEP and private landowners against liability claims by permit holders. This is one reason the DEP makes little effort to collect fees and only charge for parking so they have no liability when there is an accident.
The other possibility is nothing will happen. The DEP has presented a position paper non-concurring with the Bill and will marshall the reps and senators across the state to defeat it. They are politically adept a killing things they don't like. But it will come back again and maybe look something like the above prototype: just like the saltwater license is coming back. So if we are to be a stakeholder and have input into how this whole issue is crafted the effort needs to taken now. I intend to modify my email to local officials on the subject prepared earlier and submit it as my formal documentation to the public hearing in Hartford on Monday. Clark Chapin, state rep from New Milford will take my proposal forward as a submission as a courtesy since I have doctors appointments and can't be there. He is the ranking republican on the state environmental committee if I understood his position correctly.
There is more to this but I am too tired to boil the ocean especially when the power keeps going out tonight. Yamar and Big Lee both presented concerns and positions extremely well and were very articulate. But we were representing ourselves not the site, you, Mitch or anyone else.
You can watch it happen, make it happen or ask what happened, those are all individual choices. Most of the attendees wanted exclusionary, elitist solutions, those people don't want you on "their" lake. If that concerns you get involved with your state rep and senator.
Big Lee and Yamar will have a lot of input too.