Public invited to weigh in on state marine parks use and fees

The following is a release from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission:

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the boating public to help the agency better understand how boaters use state marine parks and provide their views on possible changes to fees and policies for next year.

Boaters are invited to take an online survey at: www.parks.wa.gov/165/Boating-Fees. The 30-question confidential survey takes about 5 to 15 minutes to complete. The deadline to complete the survey is June 15. A summary of results will be posted on the same web page in July.

State Parks manages more than 40 marine parks, located primarily in Puget Sound. These parks are accessible only by boat and often feature floats or buoys for overnight moorage. Since 2009, the agency has lost almost 80 percent of its tax support, and moorage fees are well below market rates. Results from the survey will help guide State Parks in developing a sustainable funding structure as it takes a more market-based approach to managing all of its facilities.

Maps showing marine park locations are available on the internet at www.parks.wa.gov/648/Moorage. For more information about current boating-related fees for state marine parks, visit: www.parks.wa.gov/165/Boating-Fees . For more information about the survey, call 360-902-8667.