PORT ANGELES – Boaters and anglers used to launching their boats for free from the city’s Ediz Hook Boat Launch could be in for a surprise later this summer.
The city is considering a fee for using the two-lane boat launching area – which has 412 feet of floating dock – that the city took over from the Port of Port Angeles in 1995.
The city staff’s recommended fee is $8.50 a day, or $28.75 for an annual pass, for city residents and $12.75 a day, or $43.50 for an annual pass, for non-city residents.
The money would be used to replace pilings and floats.
The proposal was presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission last week.
The parks board has set a special meeting to get public comment on the proposal at 7 p.m. June 14 in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
A flier publicizing the meeting has been posted at the boat launch, on the city’s Web site, www.cityofpa.us, and wherever else necessary to get the word out, said Deputy Recreation Director Bill Sterling.
The flier also will explain the amount of the fee, when it would take effect and why it is considered necessary, he said.
The recommended fee is the same as that charged by the Port of Port Angeles.
The higher fee for non-city residents is a city policy to charge non-residents 50 percent more.
Enforcement of the fee still is undecided but could consist of either the “honor system” or spot checks.
City Public Works Director Glenn Cutler said the target date for imposing the fee is Aug. 1 to capture the summer’s remaining boating traffic.
