
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994                   TAG: 9403220062
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: BS-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LAUNCHING FEES AT CORPS LAKES ANGER ANGLERS

The Army Corps of Engineers will collect launching fees at many of its boat ramps begining May 1, a fact that has bass anglers in an uproar.

"Yet another tax on fishermen," is the way the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society has tagged the increase.

In Virginia, a $2 launching fee will be charged at Salthouse Branch and Goose Point on Philpott Lake. At Kerr Lake, similar charges will be made at North Bend Park, Palmer Park, Rudds Creek and Buffalo Landing.

A fee of $1 per person, up to $3 per vehicle, will be charged at developed swimming beaches.

An annual pass may be purchased for $25 to permit the holder and accompanying passengers in his or her vehicle to use all boat launching ramps and swimming beaches without further charges. There will be no fee for children under 12. Golden Age and Golden Access passports, available to senior citizens, can be used to purchase an annual pass or day-use pass for half price.

The fees are part of the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, touted by the Clinton Administration as a tax on the rich.

Dave Precht, a spokesman for B.A.S.S., said the use fees were "hidden away in the budget deficit bill. Unfortunately, we were afforded no opportunity to fight the latest plan to charge admission to public facilities."

Corps officials say the funds will be used to help pay operations and maintenance costs at recreation sites.

John Fields, the reservoir manager at Kerr, said fee collectors will add to the security of areas where fishermen leave their vehicles and other equipment. Only the more developed sites, such as those with security lighting, picnic tables and swimming areas, will charge for launching, he said. Picnickers won't be charged.

"It only amounts to $1 per person if there are two in the boat," he said.

While just two launching ramps will be under the fee system at Philpott this year, others likely will be added in the future, said Maurice Ruddle, the reservoir manager.

"A sizable chunk of the $18 million the Corps expects to rake in certainly will have to be spent in hiring new gatekeepers to collect . . . tolls," Precht said.

One concern of both Corps officials and boaters: the fee system at heavy traffic areas might shift usage to remote ramps. That could create problems if bass tournaments are moved to ramps with limited launching and parking facilities.

by CNB