THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080500
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
A proposal to revive a study of whether and how much to charge marinas for using public waterways cleared its first hurdle in the General Assembly on Tuesday but only after a Senate committee gave the measure more scrutiny than the bill's sponsor expected.
``I think the bill has an excellent chance of going through the General Assembly,'' said Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin, sponsor of the bill and chairman of the Senate panel that reviewed it. ``But I didn't anticipate this discussion here today.''
The bill creates a 20-member study committee to review the state's policy regarding businesses, such as marinas, that use public waterways. The committee would be appointed by Senate leader Marc Basnight of Manteo, and new House Speaker Harold J. Brubaker, a Randolph County Republican, and would report its findings to the General Assembly by May 1.
North Carolina does not charge a fee for marina operators in exchange for the use of state waters, but recent court rulings require the state to issue an easement for ``for-profit'' marinas. The fees would not apply to privately owned piers and boathouses.
After approval by the Senate Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday morning, the measure was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday afternoon. by CNB