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State outfitter fees good for access
Misguided?
By Gerard O'Brien, Editor of the Montana Standard - 02/07/2006
But proposal needs more details Area outfitters were upset over the weekend when it was reported in The Standard that a new fee may be tacked on to their operations.
The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Park is considering a fee for commercial ventures to help cover the costs of fishing access and maintenance, but no amount has been set and no details on the money would be specifically spent is available yet. Word has it is that the money would improve fishing access sites.
Fishing guides would likely feel the pinch the most under this proposal. Outfitters work very hard for their clients. At times it seems like a thankless job and we can understand that they may feel singled out by the state for a fee increase.
Their clients buy fishing licenses, which help pay for fishing access sites and maintenance of them. Out-of-state clients also contribute to the local economy by staying in area motels, eating at local restaurants and buying souvenirs from local merchants.
Outfitters spend long days on the river, doing just about everything but catching a fish for the client.
However, the state makes a good argument, too.
Outfitters use the state waters and fishing access sites more than private citizens do or possibly can.
That was one of the reasons the state set days when outfitters could float the Big Hole River and days when only private crafts were allowed to float.
At present, outfitters don’t pay a fee to the state for using the public access to rivers. The Forest Service and BLM do charge access fees for river access. So the past practice has already been established by the federal agencies.
The only fee outfitters pay is for licenses administered by the Montana Board of Outfitters and Guides. That’s more a regulatory agency, policing worker’s comp and the rules requiring all guides to be trained in the safety of clients.
We hope the state comes forth with its specific proposal, costs and where the money will be spent. We agree the money collected locally ought to be spent locally.
But it is also time for the state to look at the usage of our rivers. Like other recreational activities, the usage is growing and there needs to be ways of preserving what we have.
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