MichPaddler decided to check out a few things on the spider web and finds some expert tips for those paddling in Michigan waters. It is amazing the amount of information and websites out at that place, both electric current and past. And this doesn't fifty-fifty count the Facebook and Twitter sites from all the paddling community.

So here information technology goes, just a start. Transport me your favorite ones and I shall update the listing.

You might sense a rubber theme here. Anyone have access to the parody video comparing a life vest unworn to a bullet proof belong unworn?  Your kayak probably doesn't need that life jacket strapped to it.

Thanks to a reader: Wonderful rubber site: www.paddlesafely.com

MSU extension and safety on Michigan Waters http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/great_lakes_paddling_safety_10_tips_to_keep_you_safe_on_the_great_lakes

Michigan Water Trails, always expanding. Detect out about h2o trails, maps, weather, paddling prophylactic, so much more ….  http://www.michiganwatertrails.org/paddling.asp

Detroit News and need for condom   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/09/08/kayaking-safety-groovy-lakes/105388360/

Pure Michigan Blog on kayaking adventures

https://www.michigan.org/blog/outdoors/michigan-kayaking-beginners-guide

Kayak Safety tips, not simply for Fall Colour tours. Some of that water is actually cold now! Also has links on paddling in Northern Michigan

https://mynorth.com/2009/10/kayak-safe-tips-for-fall-color-bout-paddling/

From farther afield:

Lifejacket utilise recommendations from the State of Washington. Equally they say, it's only a life jacket if you wear it!  https://parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/899/Lifejacket-Brochure

A video on why to wear. Life jackets float, you lot don't! Deals with white water. But think all waters, please. https://www.youtube.com/scout?v=DpFwGQ35W1w

You can find the Draft Minutes for April 25, 2018 at the website:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/MSWC042518minutes_623045_7.pdf

There is word of waterways safety and proposed registration. Letters were submitted about the proposal. Please see the minutes for more data.

***

The adjacent meeting volition be held June 8, 9:30 am,

Room 317, Metropolis Hall,

301 Washington Avenue

Bay City, Michigan

The Calendar of the next meeting on June 8, 2018 is posted at

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/June_8_2018_623364_7.pdf

Be sure to send your Commission a letter of the alphabet if you would similar to have a phonation.

MSWC Commissioner:  Dennis Nickels  email: wernd88@gmail.com

Other commissioners contacts are at the website:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_79763_79917_84801-277375–,00.html

Here are a couple of Resolutions to check out:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/04-2018-06_Resolution_-_Funding_623050_7.pdf

More on this one in anther post.

https://world wide web.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/04-2018-02_Resolution_-_Grant_Approval_623051_7.pdf

Hither are the Grants Applications being passing on for approving or not for FY2018 nether Waterways Grant-in-Aid program:

FY 2018 Grant-in-Aid Waterways Projects applications

You can discover the 2017 Waterways Grants Applications results here:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/GrantInAidWaterwayProjectsApplications2017_601938_7.pdf

Other meetings that are scheduled:

Aug. xxx (coming together) eight:thirty a.g. – noon Ontonagon Village Offices, Hamlet Quango Room
315 Quartz St. Ontonagon, MI 49953
October. five (meeting) viii:30 a.m. – noon Mount Clemens: TBD
Dec. 7 (meeting) 9 a.yard. – noon Lansing: TBD

From a reader:

"Are there public statistics on drownings involving paddle vessels on inland lakes? I accept exception to the statements made by Dennis Nickels in this article: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/05/09/michigan-kayak-canoe-registration-debate/34708611/

Co-ordinate to the Swell Lakes Surf Rescue Project, of the 94 drownings in 2017 on the Great Lakes, Nine involved paddlesports. In 2017, 38 bicyclists died while pursuing that recreational activity.

Nickels also claimed it was never the intent of the commission to institute the taxation in 2018, when the committee clearly stated to the contrary in its 1/3/2018 letter."

The reader continued on with a plea for accurate information and reporting on paddle sports.

Contribution from a reader:

Hi MichPaddler – could you delight share this link? Overnice mini podcast by a Detroit News journalist who really practices rescues and wears his life jacket!

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/columnists/daniel-howes/2018/05/12/michigan-paddle-kayak-canoe-tax-daniel-howes/34769483/

As the intro article states:

This week, Howes says the halting entrada in Lansing to tax the state's kayaks, canoes and paddleboards through registration fees might get more traction if the gain would exist used to fund paddling prophylactic programs. Merely and then long as the effort looks like zippo more than a money grab past the Dandy Lakes State, it's likely to remain dead in the h2o.

Mlive. com published the following report on April 25th

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/04/kayak_registration_fee_tossed.html

The Michigan State Waterways Commission met Wed April 25th and the minutes of that meeting will be posted as soon every bit bachelor.  The next meeting of the Commission will be in Bay Metropolis the forenoon of June vii or eight. Continue checking their website to stay up to date and see the Calendar for the next coming together. Here is the link  www.michigan.gov/mswc

The MSWC is an advisory trunk, non an enforcement body. They have no public education arm.  Most water safety teaching is currently done by private (due east.g. Ability Squadron, etc.) or quasi-governmental agencies like the Declension Guard Auxiliary, and for the paddling customs, by paddling groups. In the field and on the water, enforcement is done primarily by local and county policing agencies, whose funding support comes in large function from grants.  Nowhere in the currently proposed legislation is there explanation for how these educating and law enforcement organizations will receive funding. A question remains whether this volition hateful increasing state revenues and then imposing unfunded mandates on local and canton governments.

Does anyone have whatsoever idea how many canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and paddleboards are currently out there?  How many people have bills of auction still in their possession? Electric current registration requires bills of sales indicating that the vi% state sales taxes have been paid or those taxes will have to exist paid upon registration, yet more funds for the state that will not fund safety or facilities.

How many scout troops, camps and private individuals have multiple boats?  I would approximate that the average paddler owns 3 to five boats and the vast majority of these boats do not take serial numbers affixed to them, raising questions for registration and owners of multiple boats.

(rec'd iii/fourteen/2018 for posting)

Every bit an avid paddler on Michigan lakes, rivers and the Great Lakes, I sought to get more information in the issue of mandatory registration of paddlecraft and related aspects and legislation.  On March 8, 2018, in a phone call with Commissioner Nickels, I was able to get further information, every bit well as pose a few questions.  I thank the Commissioner for his fourth dimension, noesis, and thoughts.  The discussion centered effectually MSWC Resolution 01-2018-02 .

Below is my summary of central points:

  • The MSWC is a body comprised entirely of volunteers appointed past the governor and is an advisory body to the DNR. Information technology reports to the Director of the DNR. They seek to align the needs of law enforcement, showtime responders, and the customer (boaters, paddlers etc.).
  • The resolution was a response to information received from private and public sector agents on the rapid growth of paddle arts and crafts use on Michigan and Great Lakes waters and the increasing need for law enforcement to respond to safety issues of abandoned/vacant boats, paddlers in danger, and search and rescue. Commissioner Nickels also mentioned the rise in paddler/motorboat conflict, particularly concerning parking facilities. Neither the Commissioner nor I know of any studies done to sympathise these issues. Boating industry estimates that paddle arts and crafts will achieve l% of the boats on Michigan waters soon if not already the case.
  • The Commissioners debated/discussed the idea of including a mandatory use of PFDs (each paddler or passenger required to wear the PFD, non merely take them somewhere accessible to them). It was decided that it was too controversial and might undermine the possibility of other measures getting enacted. He cited the legislation making information technology optional to habiliment motorcycle helmets as an example of the legislature going in the opposite management of requirements for safety.
  • Cost of registration. The 2018 resolution includes "up to $10 annually" for registration fee. There is the possibility that legislators might reduce that fee.
  • I raised the allotment of the revenues gained through the collection of registration fees as a key bespeak of discussion and confusion amidst paddlers. Run across discussion below.
  • Coverage: As indicated in Bespeak 4 of resolution all rigged hulled kayaks and canoes will be covered under this, regardless of length.  Point five covers paddleboards and only those 8 anxiety or longer are covered.
  • Regarding the idea of reduced cost later the first boat (kayak, canoe, paddleboard) is registered, the Commissioners felt that there was no precedent for that, as no other watercraft registration enables a reduced fee for owners of multiple craft. Thus, it was not included.
  • The Commissioners are aware of the costs (time and coin) of doing registration through the Secretarial assistant of Land offices and would similar DNR and Legislature to consider enabling Points of Sale options as currently exist with Line-fishing Licenses, Hunting Licenses, etc.
  • There is complementary legislation (2018 SIB 0736) and Joint Resolution regarding 2018 SIB 0273 that can be establish at http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2018-SJR-O ). These are moving through the MI legislation, sponsored by Senator Tom Caspersen (from Escanaba) regarding the Michigan Natural resources Trust Fund with revenues gained from royalties received from public lands and other sources.  Later on the endowment of the MNR Trust Fund reaches $800 million, the overflow would get to the MI Land Parks Endowment Fund, co-ordinate to this legislation. These funds have and are existence used to make grants to communities, including purchase of land for parking and landing, etc.  Check the proposed legislation for more details (lots of them). (At that place is the following https://world wide web.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/865162 that details SB0280 that appears to exist the pecker moving forward. The nib's sponsors are all from the Republican Party. Info on status of that is at http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2017-SB-0280 ).
  • The Commissioners have met with Legislators and found enthusiasm for investments in water trails and other paddling facilities, as indicated beneath. As the 2018 MSWC resolution indicates, raising the costs for all watercraft registration is to be considered. Invasive species funding is also under consideration, based on Minnesota experience with this, issuing special stickers (similar to MI Recreation Laissez passer for vehicles) or including within toll of registration. Information technology is not addressed in this 2018 MSWC Resolution.

Regarding the allocation of funds, I view this as a cardinal outcome amongst the other paddlers that I have spoken with, and communicated that to the Commissioner. He indicated that there is dissever legislation that concerns the utilise of revenues for licenses and registration of watercraft.  the Commissioner indicated that of those watercraft revenues collected, fifty% must go to watercraft prophylactic as administered past law enforcement agencies. The other 50% goes to watercraft facilities and needs, equally administered past the DNR. The DNR Grants program is funded this mode, for example. The legislation moving forward under Point ix higher up besides addresses funding bug for DNR activities/investments.

Boating access sites currently receive funding from several sources, including taxes on fuel pumped at the nineteen state operated marinas and 20 grant-in-aid marinas. Many serve equally Safe Harbor sites along the Great Lakes. This funding is in improver to a portion of the gunkhole registration fees collection and grants.

The Commissioner spoke very favorably about a contempo presentation by the Michigan Trails Initiative concerning water trails. The commissioners jointly view these efforts as important with local partners and municipalities, just need funding sources for grants and other initiative for DNR to motion these initiatives forrard.  This would include things similar improvements to rustic drop sites for paddlecraft, with buying country, arranging parking, possible latrines/outhouses, etc. Improving or expanding current parking to incorporate needs of both paddlers and motorboat users might exist included. As well in demand is the increase in availability of assisted launch facilities for paddlecraft.

These notes were developed by me, as a Michigan paddler and denizen. I have responsibility for errors of interpretation. C. Donovan March 14, 2018

The minutes for the Jan 23, 2018 meeting of the Michigan Country Waterways Commission can be found at

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/MSWC022318minutes_616642_7.pdf

The DNR has launched a new website design.  The MSWC tin withal be institute by using www.michigan.gov/wsmc .

In developing this resolution the Waterways Commission has identified the following key areas of concerns:

  1. The Commission believes there is a real safety problem with paddle recreation just they take no money to spend on information technology.  There are increasing search and rescue operations needed for paddlecraft as the numbers of these boats rises apace. At that place are points of conflict between paddlecraft users and motorboat users and investments are needed to resolve these conflicts. Paddlers, therefore, need to pay fees for registration then DNR/MSWC have money to spend on paddling prophylactic and enhancements.  MSWC Commisioner indicated that 50% goes to law enforcement for safety problems and the other 50% would go to grant funds related to waterways needs, simply there is nothing in the Resolution to guarantee that.

Perspective:

  • The fee-paying public deserves to know what the legislation and regulations mandate for use of the funds collected and who makes the decisions equally to the investments and use of funds. The public should see the information on this and know in advance of passing a bill how funds will be allocated and the proposed budget defining the expenditure of the funds raised.
  • In that location are many volunteer/non-profit organizations that support boater safety didactics. The extent and impact of this ought to be considered and augmented. Allocation of grant funds to these efforts should be function of the utilise of funds, if registration moves forward.
  • Skill development, knowing one's limitations and choosing paddling venues appropriately and wearing a properly rated and fitted PFD are the key ingredients for a safety and fun paddling feel. For nearly paddle craft but having a flotation device on board does not clinch its availability in a crisis.  Organizations aimed at serving paddler interests provide a substantial resources (human and financial) for improving safety.
  1. Police enforcement agencies state they must follow-up reports of unoccupied kayaks floating in the water.  Police force enforcement want to be able to identify these recovered boats to learn the circumstance and determine if someone is missing.

Perspective:

  • A boat registration law is not necessary to accomplish boat identification in case if loss. Paddlers could easily register their hull numbers, if known, on a website law enforcement could use.
  1. The Commission envisions installing and upgrading existing gunkhole launch sites, nevertheless, it has no money to issue grants for organizations to meliorate them or install ADA launches where they may be needed. Nor does it have funds to allocate to water trails initiatives.

Perspective:

  • For most paddlers the existing launches may be quite adequate.  Improvements are needed simply it generally occurs at the municipal level.  Paddlers only occasionally share ability gunkhole facilities and practice not require the same shore infrastructure. Investing in dredging, for example, does not improve paddlecraft operations.
  • Where is the supporting data that relates to paddler needs, facility utilise and anticipated revenue and expenditures? What are the priority locations on Michigan waterways that will be targeted for enhancements? It will be of import to identify areas in which there are current conflicts between paddle craft and motorboats and decide actions.

Other Points for Consideration:

  • Virtually paddlers own dissimilar boats for unlike water environments. Oft 1 or some other gunkhole is selected for apply while the others remain in storage.  Given the recommended fee per boat, multiple paddle arts and crafts owners may experience a disproportionate fee burden compared to the registration costs for the one-motorboat owners across the state.
  • The pattern of the registration system should not use the current system with Secretary of State. Currently, discretionary registration of  kayak, canoe or paddleboard includes the need to show a receipt and payment of sales taxes to annals the paddlecraft. Sales tax will have to be paid with registration if no evidence of such payment is available. A series number was required. A waiver tin can be signed, only leaves open the State to attempt to collect sales taxes later. (Registration toll for 3 years was $nine for a 12′ kayak in 2017. Decal is three″ x 2.5″).  The WSMC has discussed using point-of-sales methods (such as used for angling licenses) but at that place is nothing in writing to betoken that.
  • Administering, monitoring and enforcing the registration of the myriad of canoes, kayaks and SUPs required past the proposed legislation implies a substantial bureaucratic overhead that may not be cost effective in the finish. If local officials must enforce this, where are the funds to cover that?
  • An advisable and diverse representation of the paddlecraft, sport and recreation community ought to be brought together with agency representatives to consider, in a deliberative procedure, as to the demand for fee-based acquirement essential to the associated recreational, health and rubber ecology and economical interests. If it is concluded that additional revenue is necessary, subsequently, this body ought to consider acquirement generating and authoritative mechanisms that are compatible with the needs and interests of all stakeholders. While some consultation has been done, more is needed.

Ideas and Data sourced from various paddlers. C. Donovan provided info on electric current discretionary registration in MI.  March 6, 2018