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RBAW Monthly Newsletter- July 2024 -
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Cruising this weekend? Get a FREE Mobile Pump-out! |
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MindTheZone: Enjoy Lake Union Safely |
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MindTheZone, RBAW's initiative to raise awareness about the five seaplane advisory buoys on Lake Union, has already made a big impact this summer!
The MindTheZone team is spreading the message of awareness, courtesy, and safety on Lake Union. With the Lake becoming increasingly busy, it is more important than ever for all users to take small steps to facilitate a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
We have reached well over 500,000 people this summer through our digital and public outreach efforts. Additionally, local businesses continue to embrace MindTheZone and are sharing information about the seaplane advisory buoys with their own customers. We look forward to promoting this important safety message throughout the summer.
Help us keep everyone safe on Lake Union. For signage or other materials for your business, marina, yacht club, paddle group, etc., contact MindTheZone@RBAW.org. For more information, visit mindthezone.org. |
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Boater Engagement Workshop for Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery on September 12th |
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Thank you to those who attended the June 20th Workshop - it was a productive discussion about the opportunities and challenges that the upcomming 1000yd buffer zone present, and good dialoge about potential solutions. If you missed this one, see below for the next scheduled workshop.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and its Orca Regulations Communications Advisory (ORCA) Group seeks input from the Salish Sea recreational boater community to inform its education, outreach, and communications work related to Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) and related vessel regulations (as directed by the Washington State Legislature in the 2023-24 Senate Bill 5371). Your perspectives will ground this important work in reality and lead to more effective communication that will ultimately support SRKW recovery.
Workshop 2: Shaping 2025 Education, Outreach, and Communication Efforts
Date and Time: Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 9:30am – 11:00am, PDT
Description: In this workshop, we will collect feedback on initial education, outreach, and/or communication plans related to the 2025 vessel regulations to ensure WDFW and the ORCA Group efforts are effective. More information about this workshop will be forthcoming later this summer.
REGISTER HERE
For more information, agenda or questions, please visit the ORCA GROUP WEBSITE, or:
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Proposed Canadian Marine Mammal Regulations Amendment |
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Do you boat into Beautiful British Columbia? The Canadian government, through their Fisheries and Oceans Canada department, is offering a chance to provide comments on orca guidelines. Canada requires boaters to stay about a quarter-mile from all orcas in southern British Columbia waters. The government is evaluating its protection measures and considering amending marine mammal regulations. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is accepting comments through September 3. Click for More information about the proposed rules.
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Watercraft Excise Tax (WET) Depreciation Schedule Update |
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RBAW leaders took a break from summer boating to continue efforts to resolve the current watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule issue - focusing on the subset of vessels that have been owned for 15 years or more. RBAW's goal is to refine the depreciation schedule for these vessels as we believe the valuations are higher than the market value. Earlier this month, RBAW President Bob Wise and Lobbyist Trevor Justin met with a key legislator to discuss the issue, and potential ways to improve the depreciation schedule to be more accurate. We had a great meeting, and discussed evaluating the move to a flat, year-over-year depreciation for vessels owned for 15 years or more. Next steps will be to craft language to reflect what this adjustment may look like for potential legislation heading into the 2025 legislative session. RBAW will continue this discussion with additional legislators this fall.
In addition - as required annually, DOR released their CR 101
pre-proposed rulemaking notice for the WET depreciation schedule for 2025. Reasons why rules on this subject may be needed and what they might accomplish: RCW 82.49.040 requires the Department of Revenue to prepare a depreciation schedule (at minimum annually) for use in the determination of fair market value for watercrafts, which is the basis for measuring the watercraft excise tax. The purpose of this rulemaking effort is to evaluate the watercraft depreciation table values in WAC 458-20-23801. DOR will propose amendments to the watercraft depreciation schedule if watercraft valuation, sales, and registration data indicates an adjustment to a table value(s) is necessary, as required by RCW 82.49.040. The Department will solicit comments and feedback from external stakeholders regarding this annual proposed watercraft depreciation schedule. DOR will share any proposed amendments to the watercraft depreciation schedule in advance of the public meeting and discuss any proposed amendments during the public meeting.
RBAW will attend the public meeting on Tuesday, August 6 at 10am. More to come. |
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State asks Boaters to help prevent spread of Invasive Species |
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The Washington Invasive Species Council and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are asking boaters, kayakers and anglers to “Clean, Drain and Dry” their boats and equipment this boating season to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species and protect Washington’s waterways.
The Clean/Drain/Dry method applies to all watercraft and gear including paddles, waders, shoes, life vests, nets, buckets, and trailers. And if transporting your watercraft, make sure and pull the plug during transit.
Click HERE to read more on how you can help. |
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Contributing Memberships We are grateful for the support of our Contributing Members - companies that have invested in you, the recreational boater, with an RBAW Membership. |
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Contributing Member Opportunities! Contributing Members are businesses and organizations that support the Recreational Boater, and what's important to us. Please refer any potential Members to Info@RBAW.org - we'll reach out to them! Platinum Member - $10,000 - Educational Speaking Consideration
- Exhibitor Table at Annual Member Meeting
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Sponsor Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 2 Social Media Spotlights with Information of your Choice
- Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Gold Member - $5,000
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Sponsor Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 1 Social Media Spotlight with Information of your Choice
- Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Silver Member - $2,500 - Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Bronze Member - $1,000 - Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Click here for a .pdf of these Membership opportunities To learn more about how your business can support what's important to the recreational boater in WA, and get noticed by our 7,000+ members contact {Organization_Contact_Email} today! |
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