The governor has proposed to close the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to save $600,000 a year by merging DBW with Parks and Recreation. DBW is funded solely by boater fuel tax dollars, registration fees, and interest payments on infrastructure loans – it doesn't take general fund dollars – and its work helps boating be safer and more accessible. We urge you to think about the value of DBW, and we request that you leave DBW intact.

Things we know:

a. Recreational boating contributes approximately $16.5 billion to the gross state product and supports more than 8,500 related businesses, and 284,000 direct and indirect jobs. (Source: DBW Boating Needs Assessment Study, 2002)

b. With a Boating Director and a statewide Boating and Waterways Commission, DBW provides accountability, transparency, and leadership in its use of boater-derived taxes and fees. This will be lost if the DBW is absorbed into the larger Department of Parks and Recreation (which relies on the state General Fund).

c. DBW invests in boating infrastructure – docks, ramps, and marinas in a revolving fund that pays itself back (with interest!).

d. DBW ensures safe boating by supporting local law enforcement agencies, and boating safety education.

e. DBW is funded solely by boaters. It does not take general funds!

f. We certainly have nothing against the Department of Parks and Recreation because their function is very valuable to the citizens of California, even though it does take general funds for support.

g. It is rare to have a government department which is self supporting and does not use general funds for operations. Please do not destroy this important function.

DA and Leona Butts live in Clearlake Oaks.

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