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Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Boat Owners Association of The United States
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A survey of recreational boaters’ experience with refueling their vessels this past summer shows little love for corn-ethanol fuel blends mandated by the federal government’s Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS.
The survey was completed by Boat Owners Association of The United States, or BoatUS, the national advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters, to gauge boaters’ use of ethanol-free and ethanol-fuel blends during the peak 2018 boating season.
The results identify potential misfueling issues and allow recreational boaters to be heard as RFS policy is being debated on Capitol Hill.
Only fuels containing up to 10-percent ethanol (E10) are permitted for use in recreational boats, and anything greater has been shown to damage marine engines and will void warranties.
The BoatUS Summer Fueling Survey identified
About half (49 percent) of respondents said they filled up their boats with E0 (ethanol-free) fuel this summer. However, if they had their choice of fuel, more than four in five (83 percent) would choose E0 (ethanol-free) fuel – if it was available.
Forty-one percent reported the availability of E0 has stayed about the same over the last three years. However, by a margin of more than two to one (31 percent to 14 percent), some respondents said the availability of E0 was becoming more difficult to locate over the last three years.
The survey reported that boaters refuel their boats at a combination of locations both off and on the water. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they refuel their boat at roadside gas stations, followed by on-water fuel docks (50 percent) and filling gas cans or portable gas tanks at roadside gas stations (32 percent).
BoatUS has concerns over potential consumer misfueling as E15 (15 percent ethanol) pump-labeling requirements are minimal with just a small orange warning label on roadside gas station pumps.
About half (49 percent) of survey respondents reported being unaware that the use of E15 gasoline in marine engines was prohibited under federal law and will void the engine warranty.
More than 4 in 5 survey respondents (84 percent) could not correctly identify the color of the small misfueling warning label required on gas station dispenser pumps that sell E15. Both may be indications that current pump labels are not effective and misfueling could occur.
About one in three of those surveyed (36 percent) reported having been advised that repairs to their boats’ engines and/or fuel systems were required as a result of ethanol fuel.
When it was passed in 2005, RFS assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow.
Since then, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecast, which today forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas.
To keep up with the RFS mandate and avoid hitting a “blend wall” in which the volume of ethanol production would exceed consumption and infrastructure constraints, in 2010 the EPA granted a waiver to allow E15 into the marketplace.
For more information, go to http://Advocacy.BoatUS.com. BoatUS is a member of SmarterFuelFuture.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is offering nature walks at the Rodman Preserve on Saturday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9 a.m.
The guided walks at Rodman Preserve offer visitors of all ages an opportunity to enjoy wildlife and the beauty of Lake County.
Each Saturday walk is led by a different Land Trust volunteer.
The Oct. 13 walk will be led by Brad Barnwell. Barnwell enjoys sharing his knowledge of Lake County birds and photography.
On Oct. 27 the walk will be guided by Roberta Lyons. Lyons enjoys birding, sharing about the land, and identifying wild grasses.
The public is invited to come out and enjoy fall with these early morning cool walks along the slough.
Participants should meet at the Rodman Preserve and Nature Education Center at 9 a.m.
The preserve is located at 6350 Westlake Road, Upper Lake.
To get there take the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off from Highway 29, between Lakeport and Upper Lake. Turn east onto the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off, then left on to Westlake Road. The preserve entry is to the immediate right after turning on to Westlake Road.
The preserve is owned and operated by the Lake County Land Trust, a local, 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization directly involved in protecting important land resources; wetlands, wildlife habitats, parks, forests, watersheds, riparian stream corridors, lakeside areas and trails.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
This is the first year that SHARE has offered opportunities at Hart Ranch, which includes 975 acres of rolling oak woodland 15 miles northeast of Porterville. The hunts will take place October 2018 through April 2019.
Hunters with a valid California hunting license may apply for these hunts through the Automated License Data System.
An $11.62 non-refundable application fee will be charged for each hunt choice. Application deadlines are 17 days before each hunt.
To apply for these hunts, visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales, log in to your account and select "Purchase Licenses." Then select "2018 - Hunting, 2018 - SHARE Hunts Multi Choice Application" and select specific hunt periods.
The SHARE program offers private landowners liability protection and compensation for providing public access to or through their land for wildlife-dependent recreational activities.
The goal of the program is to provide additional hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California.
For more information about SHARE opportunities, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The course will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, Tuesday, Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Oct. 31, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Riviera Heights Homeowners Association Clubhouse, 3034 Riviera Heights Drive, Kelseyville.
Training topics will include hunter and firearms safety, ethics and hunter responsibility, basic survival and first aid, wildlife identification and management, hunting techniques and equipment, and wild game care.
This class is required to be eligible to hunt in California.
Students are required to attend all days and hours to receive full credit and must pass the required written and practical tests for certification of completion.
Registration must be completed online by visiting the CDFW Web site at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education and following the step-by-step instructions.
Class space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional course dates and locations are also located at this site.
For additional information or if your organization would like to host a course, please contact Lt. Mike Pascoe at 707-263-1044 or Roland LeDoux at 707-994-0637.