THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 21, 1995 TAG: 9503210307
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY BETTY GRAY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
After nearly eight months, a 20-member study committee began debate Monday over whether the state should charge commercial marinas for using state waters - and, if so, how much.
Some committee members, such as Merry Hill commercial fisherman Terry Pratt, believe marina operators and others who use public waterways should be held accountable for their use - either in the form of fees or other restrictions.
But a majority of those who spoke at the committee's first meeting questioned whether charging a fee for marina operators would be more trouble than it's worth.
``If we sit here and decide that there is going to be a charge . . . it's probably going to cause a lot more problems down the road than it's going to solve,'' said George T. Davis, a Swan Quarter lawyer.
Trent Woods Mayor Drew Willis, who leads the Craven County community near New Bern, said requiring marina operators to sign leases - even long-term leases - would be ``economically unfeasible'' for business owners.
``What that will effectively do is put marina businesses . . . out of business,'' Willis said.
But Pratt said the public's access to valuable fishing grounds and other public uses of the state's coastal waters should take precedence over the rights of adjacent landowners.
``It is not my intention to do anything to interfere with public trust rights,'' Pratt said. ``Whether or not we charge fees, we have a responsibility to the public to look after the resource.''
The study committee, appointed by Senate leader Marc Basnight, a Manteo Democrat, and House Speaker Harold J. Brubaker, a Randolph County Republican, is slated to report its findings to the General Assembly by May 1.
The committee is expected to develop recommendations that could be approved by the General Assembly this year. The recommendations will govern what, if any, fees the state charges marina operators and other businesses that use public waterways. by CNB