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Save Cal Boating

Cal Boating is responsible for keeping the Delta’s water hyacinth problem under control. A delay in federal approval for this summer’s spraying caused the stuff to strangle many waterways. Just imagine what the Delta would look like if Parks and Rec got their hands on DBW’s funding.

© Anthony Diliberti

Once again California politicians have set their sights on the Department of Boating and Waterways, a.k.a. Cal Boating. In his proposed state budget, Governor Jerry Brown wants to ax Cal Boating and reform it as a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Of course the proposed elimination was suggested under the guise of "reducing duplicative staffing" but we believe the state merely wants the considerable funds brought in by Cal Boating — boater fuel tax, registration fees, and interest on infrastructure loans — distributed to a wider range of state programs in contrast to the original mandate that those funds be used for boating-related projects. Killing off Cal Boating will not save the state a single dollar, but will almost certainly guarantee the reduction of boater services by allowing the department’s funding to be managed by an agency that clearly has managerial issues, not to mention conflicting priorities.

This is the fifth time a California governor has tried to kill Cal Boating — Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger both tried twice — but the state’s boaters, a.k.a. voters, bombarded the governor’s office with visits, calls and emails opposing the cut. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it’s imperative that we once again stand together against this attack on our sport and lifestyle. Download the Recreational Boaters of California’s Call to Arms PDF, which includes a form letter to Governor Brown that RBOC will deliver. It’s only a moment out of your day, but could benefit all boaters for years to come.

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Bill Hardesty in action racing Etchells. © Tim Wilkes And the winners of the 2011 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards are (insert drum roll)… Bill Hardesty of San Diego, the reigning Etchells World Champion, and Anna Tunnicliffe of Plantation, FL, the first woman to be honored with the award four years in a row.
At cocktail hour tonight, we invite you to join us in raising a glass to the so-called President of the Pacific Ocean, Merl Petersen, who turns 90 today.