Resolution: Recreational Boating
Adopted on October 16, 2000

Whereas, the number of recreational boats in the eight Great Lakes states and the provinces of Ontario and Québec, including excursion and charter fishing craft, is approximately 6 million; and

Whereas, recreational boat manufacturers and dealers in the region employ nearly 25,000 people and boating-related retail, trip and operating expenditures in the region are estimated at $5 to $6 billion (U.S.) per year; and

Whereas, hundreds of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence marinas provide invaluable services to the recreational boating public; and

Whereas, the water resource infrastructure that supports the recreational boating sector, such as public and private marinas/docks, launch ramps, dredged navigation channels and boating safety services, requires regular maintenance and improvements.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges local, state, provincial and federal governments, as appropriate, to:

• Provide adequate Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) service by maintaining the existing network of SAR boat-based stations;
• Work cooperatively to enhance boater safety instruction and services;
• Expand and upgrade public launch ramps and dock structures, and provide adequate public access infrastructure for boaters;
• Ensure that dredging of shallow draft harbors and other publicly-maintained recreational navigation channels be dredged on a regular or as-needed basis with particular attention given to periods of low water;
• Avoid federal user fees for recreational boats and ensure that boating-generated revenue from other types of non-federal fees be directed exclusively for boating-related operations, maintenance and related activities;
• Maintain a healthy sport fishery, including aquatic nuisance species prevention and control programs, in the interest of advancing the boating/sport fishing connection in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region.

Be It Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission also urges local, state, provincial and federal governments to fully recognize and account for the economic benefits of recreational use of ports, harbors and other navigation facilities when planning for operation, maintenance, construction, dredging and related activities.

Adopted by the unanimous action of the eight member states of the Great Lakes Commission at the 2000 Semiannual Meeting, Duluth, Minn., May 12, 2000.