The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hearing on a new dock fee structure drew overwhelmingly negative comments last night. The new structure, in theory, charges more to the businesses who make their income from using public waterways, but local chamber of commerce head Tom Kuhlman summed up the mood in the room when he said the effect on the Dickinson County economy would be devastating.
ROLL #9457M …. :17 …. BUSINESS OUT OF IOWA.
Manhattan Beach owner Chuck Long says he’d close his resort before he pays the proposed dock fees.
ROLL #9457P ….:55 …. AGENCY COME UP WITH.
Rich Meier of Fillenwarth Resort estimates that firm’s dock fees to be between 45 and 66 thousand dollars a year. Mike Zenor from the Arnolds Park Amusement Park board says that non-profit group would have to cough up 55 thousand a year for its current dock configuration. Butch Parks, owner of Parks Marina, points out local business already generates income for various governmental agencies.
ROLL #9457Q ….:55 …. TYPE OF SITUATION.
Brad Thacker said the higher fees on commercial docks will have the effect of driving the public from the Okobojis.
ROLL #9457O ….:33 …. HAS TO PAY UP.
And Dickinson County supervisor Paul Johnson even questioned whether the red-tape created by the new dock regulations would be worth it to the state in the long run.
ROLL #9457N ….:23 …. THEY HOPE TO DERIVE.
Many people last night said they agree current dock fees are too low, but don’t like the new proposed rules that would both charge for the square footage of commercial docks and limit the number of boats that could be moored at condos and neighborhood docks.
DNR officer Lowell Joslin says comments from last night’s hearing will be forwarded to members of the DNR commission at their September meeting before they are asked to vote on adopting the new rules.
To hear audio from last night’s meeting, listen to KUOO News at 7:05 and 12:05 today.
