Notice of Public Hearing
Under
IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on April 18, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center-South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room 4, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Natural Resources Commission will a hold public hearing on proposed rule amendments to
312 IAC 1 adding definitions of "boat", "motorboat", and "watercraft";
312 IAC 2-4 governing fishing tournaments; and
312 IAC 8-2 governing public use of natural and recreational areas.
The following information is based on permits filed during 2005.
Permits filed: 165
# of boats requested: 16,812
User fee collected in 2005: $9,548 (9,548 divided by 2 = 4,774 boats or about 28% of the number requested.)
Under current rules, the only fee associated with fishing tournaments is $1/contestant.
Under the proposed new fee structure of $3 per boat and the organization being responsible for 80% of the number of boats requested, the increase in revenue (based on 2005 numbers) could reach the following levels:
| | | |
| | | User Fee of $3/boat | 80% of boat participation: |
| | 15–29 boats (19) | $1,653 | $1,322.40 |
| | 30–59 boats (31) | $5,487 | $4,389.60 |
| | 60–99 boats (19) | $5,643 | $4,514.40 |
| | 100–175 (96) | $50,400 | $40,320.00 |
| | Total: | $63,183 | $50,546.40 |
The increase in revenue based on 2005 participation could equal as much as $40,998.40. However, with the organization being responsible for 80% of the requested boats, they will be more realistic when requesting a permit and the actual increase in revenue is expected to be much less.
The rule also proposes that if the organization does not cancel their tournament within 30 days of the application, that bond is forfeited. In 2005, 15 cancellations were recorded. If assumed that they all did not meet the 30 day requirement, the forfeiture of the $150 would be $2,250. However, it is believed that with the implementation of the proposed rule, cancellation rate would decrease substantially.
The new rule
312 IAC 8-2-16 would require a visitor to obtain a permit card from check-in station at no cost before entering Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife in Greene County, and to return the card as directed. The permit card would allow the Department the ability to track the specific uses of the property, and data collected to be used to improve the property.
Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center-South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W272 and Legislative Services Agency, One North Capitol, Suite 325, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.
