Less red tape for area guides

[Lee Borgersen]

10/2/2010 5:05: PM 
Less red tape for area guides

by Tom Coombe

Federal legislation is set to ease the cumbersome and costly burdens faced by Ely area fishing guides, outfitters and towboat operators.

They'll no longer be forced to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card to work on federally-navigable waters, thanks to a provision advanced by U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D).

In a news release issued late Thursday, Oberstar said the bill - which has cleared Congress and awaits the signature of President Obama - will "cut red tape" for guides and other small boat operators.

"The TWIC is a means to secure our ports by identifying those who should have access to secure maritime facilities and vessels," said Oberstar. "It was never intended to regulate a fishing guide taking out a customer in his 16-foot Lund."

Announcements by the U.S. Coast Guard that it would step-up enforcement of the TWIC requirement drew howls of protest last fall from many area guides and business owners.

Most claimed the regulations, which included a $132 application fee, plus drug testing and safety training, created undue hardship, particularly for those who relied on students to drive towboats on area border lakes, including Basswood and Moose.

Coast Guard representatives came to Ely last fall and said they couldn't ignore licensing requirements that cover those who carry "passengers for hire" on border waters, which come under Coast Guard jurisdiction.

But guides and boat operators from the Ely area as well as the Gunflint Trail took their case to Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chief author of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, which authorizes all of the key operations of the agency.

Oberstar and Coast Guard officials met earlier this year to come up with another alternative for licensing Minnesota fishing guides and small boat operators.

They'll be exempted from the TWIC requirement, and instead face "a more relevant test that will focus on safety issues germane to fishing guides and small boat operators. "

"People have the right to know that the fishing guide they hire is qualified to operate a boat safely and is able to respond to an emergency," said Oberstar. "But the certification process has to be relevant to the waters where the boat is operating on and it can't be unduly burdensome to the small business owner who is trying to comply with the law. I want to make sure the Coast Guard uses good judgment and common sense when it enforces the law."

Local outfitters argued that there have been no problem with safety on area waters related to guides of towboat operators. The Coast Guard has also agreed to limit discretionary enforcement and conduct outreach to local businesses and industry groups. 
 

[sandmannd]

Wonder if that's going to apply to River Guides as well.

[Lee Borgersen]

  I think lots of Viking fans know that the Bears are going to win. Therefore they don't want to enter this week since they would have to pick Da Bears for a chance at the prize money. So, this would bring bad luck to the Vikes?

  boy's but that jinx stuff is all in your head.  

Still limited time to post your scores  


Ok!  Who moved this to the wrong topic???

[MTCOMMER]

I think lots of Viking fans know that the Bears are going to win. Therefore they don't want to enter this week since they would have to pick Da Bears for a chance at the prize money. So, this would bring bad luck to the Vikes?

  boy's but that jinx stuff is all in your head.  

Still limited time to post your scores  

Wrong thread Lee 

[Randy Kaar]

He must be going senile like me....

randy

[Lee Borgersen]

That's the last time I let Borgie post under my name

[Randy Kaar]

 

randy