$3 parking fee to be added at Everett boat launch

[Track-er]

EVERETT — The Port of Everett is adding a $3 parking fee to its 10th Street boat launch, meaning it will cost boaters and anglers $8 to use the facility starting May 1.

The fee will be in addition to the $5 launch price.

The parking fee will also apply to people who don't use the launch and just want to visit the marine park or to hop onto the popular ferry to Jetty Island.

The parking fee will be applied between May 1 and Sept. 30 each year to pay for the area's maintenance and operation, said John Mohr, executive director of the port.

He noted that during the last two years, the port has spent $600,000 to redo the rocks that check erosion and make other park improvements. It will spend $600,000 this winter to dredge the area of sediment pouring in from the nearby Snohomish River, which saw several floods in recent years.

“This has all got to be paid for, and that's what we're doing,” Mohr said Tuesday.

Mohr's comments came during a Tuesday meeting of the port commission in which several fishermen complained about the upcoming fee hike.

“We can hardly afford to go fishing as it is,” said Ted Measor. “Everywhere we turn, somebody wants money.”

Mohr said the port spends about $216,000 a year on the boat launch and collects about $115,000 with the $5 launching fee. As part of the change, the port has installed new machines that will take credit cards. It will also sell a $75 seasonal parking pass for frequent users. And it will continue to sell a $150 launch pass that does not include parking.

Peter Hatch told the commissioners that he's a retired sports fisherman who sees fees everywhere he turns. “Where does it stop?” he asked. “When does the little guy stop bearing the burden we're bearing? We won't be able to go anywhere.”

Measor said he understood that maintaining the launch cost money. “But we keep seeing our costs go up and up and up and this is the worst time for that.”

[Rick]

The new fee is fine with me. The Everett launch is easily the best launch in the area and probably all of Puget Sound.

I've always thought $5 was really cheap for what you get at Everett.

I probably launch at Everett 20 times a year. That extra $60 is a drop in the bucket compared to fuel,bait,licenses,trailer/boat tabs,etc.

$60 is only about a 1/4 tank of gas for the boat.

[jackelope]

i agree with Rick...great launch.

[fishseeker]

Won't mind the fee at all.   Sure gonna whizz of some walkers and crabers though LOL. Uh wait the crabers don't understand English

[lokidog]

The new fee is fine with me. The Everett launch is easily the best launch in the area and probably all of Puget Sound.

I've always thought $5 was really cheap for what you get at Everett.

I probably launch at Everett 20 times a year. That extra $60 is a drop in the bucket compared to fuel,bait,licenses,trailer/boat tabs,etc.

$60 is only about a 1/4 tank of gas for the boat.

It's been $7 at Washington Park in Anacortes for at least four years.

Just heard DNR is talking about closing trail heads at Mt Si (sp?) and other ones because of a $200,000 odd shortfall.  Why don't they charge the hikers and birdwatchers etc. for parking like WDFW charges hunters and fisherman for using certain boat launches and access points?

I've got no problem paying for services that I actually use.

[Shootmoore]

I have to agree with Loki there, I don't mind paying for a point of use.  I would much rather do that spreading out the cost to everyone who uses it.  Instead of a general tax where I have to pay for everyones use.  Kinda like that hidden $5 park "donation" on vehicle tabs.  Instead of me having to pay for someone else to use a state park, just add a minimal fee to those actually using it.

I think DNR should add a minimal use fee to the trail heads if they are costing them money.  The greenies have voted so many restrictions to the DNR's money maker (logging) that if they want to look at those unlogged area's make em pay to play like we hunters do.

Shootmoore

[Special T]

Fee based taxes are the best way to fund specific projects and place... Most people can rationalize that. that said this is how the state and other agencies cites etc screw us! 2 years ago (if my memory serves right) the state instituted a $5 parking fee at the state parks.... Attendance at state parks FELL OF A CLIFF! $5 didn't even come close to paying for each park... so their funded with the general fund... Its not fair if they take property tax in the name of one thing then slap a user fee to it. they just divide and conqueror... As all our hobbies/toys become more expensive more of us will just choose one and scrap the rest... If you have a boat you may duck hunt crab fish etc, but you more likely to give up the ATV or the camper.... or the reverse... Its easy for the GOV to take more, BUT impossible for them to give back!

[NRA4LIFE]

I don't mind either.  Almost every ramp in all of the PS area, lakes, rivers, sound, etc. have gone up in the last 5 years.  Everett has been at $5 since I've been launching there.  Hell, I'd pay the extra $3 just to be able to use a credit card.  $8 is still a bargain for that nice of a ramp.

[kbyers]

Its easy for the GOV to take more, BUT impossible for them to give back!

I disagree.  Giving back is exactly what they are doing.  According to the article the fee increase is going directly to area maintenance and improvement.

[Special T]

Kbuyers you obviously missed the point of my statement. Be nearly unanimous consensus the boat launch is worth it and more. I know of private sling launches and drive down launches that way cost more... Maybe Impossible was the wrong thing... RARE might be more appropriate ..