Title
Environmental Management Department recommends the Board adopt a Resolution superseding Resolutions 34-81 and 247-96 amending current language, fees and penalties for commercial river use on the South Fork American River. Resolution options include the increase to the River Use Fee of $1.00 per passenger/per day (Option 1), or the increase to the River Use Fee of $2.00 per passenger/per day (Option 2). (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
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Fiscal Impact:
There is an anticipated increase in revenue in the River Management Special Revenue Fund of $64,000 (Option 1) or $128,000 (Option 2).
Background:
On February 10, 1981, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 34-81 (Attachment A) adopting the Interim Management Plan for the South Fork of the American River and establishing river use permit fees and minimum insurance requirements for commercial river outfitters. The resolution established an initial outfitter permit fee of $300, which was reduced to $150 to review and update the permit the second operational year, and further reduced to $100 to review and update the permit for the third year. The resolution also required each outfitter to pay a River Use Fee of $1.00 per passenger per day to the County. These fees were established to reimburse the County for administrative staffing and material costs, and were also to be used as the basic funding source for activities identified in the Interim Management Plan.
On November 5, 1996 the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 247-96 (Attachment B), which increased the commercial River Use Fee for each guest guided down the South Fork of the American River, from $1.00 to $2.00 per passenger. The 1996 fee increase, which actually went into effect in 1997, was approved with the justification that the additional revenue would be used for the updating and implementation of the River Management Plan (2001). It was contemplated at the time that river use fees may need to be adjusted an additional $1.00 in 1998, for a total...
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