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Fishing fees will be discontinued at county lake

Staff reporter

Marion County Park & Lake will no longer require county fishing permits.

Marion County Commission approved a five-year contract Tuesday for lease fishing rights with Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KWP).

A federal-funded program through KWP will reimburse to Marion County lost county revenue for expenses related to fishing.

Additional federal funds were made available to KWP from an excise tax paid on fishing equipment and fuel.

"We decided to use the extra funds to reduce barriers for Kansas fishermen," said Ken McClosky of KWP.

By eliminating county fees, Kansas fishermen will be allowed to fish in any state and county lake participating in the program with only a state fishing license.

Lost county revenue because of the elimination of a fee schedule will be reimbursed to the county by KWF through a leasing program.

Preliminary figures indicate about $22,000 could be reimbursed to the county in two payments.

Jessica Mounts of KWF explained the program.

County lake revenue from fishing over the past five years will be averaged. The county then will be reimbursed 100 percent of the average annual revenue.

The first reimbursement will be 75 percent of the total agreed amount in April. When the county proves funds were spent for fishing-related activities, the remaining 25 percent will be dispersed to the county within that calendar year.

The goal of KWP is that more people will fish in Kansas lakes, increasing state fishing license revenue.

The county also will not collect an additional fee for water craft on the lake related to fishing. Non-fishing water craft will continue to pay a usage fee.

Dale Snelling, lake director, said he was concerned about increased numbers using the lake.

"Are we going to be able to cover increased costs due to an increase in people camping?" Snelling asked. He said more people means more issues with maintenance and law enforcement.

McClosky said KWP was aware of the issues.

Snelling also said free fishing, particularly at the heated fishing dock, may mean different clientele using the facility.

"The clientele of people free fishing may attract may affect the current clientele at the heated dock," Snelling said. More patrolling and law enforcement will be an issue for the county to address.

The commission had options of signing a contract for one, three, or five years. The county can be released from the contract with a 30-day notice to KWP.

Holub suggested asking the sheriff's department to assist in additional patrol of the lake, if necessary, instead of hiring an additional employee.

Snelling said the rules at the lake were different than what the deputies were accustomed to but could be workable.

Three members of the county lake board also were in attendance at Tuesday's meeting.

Kent Becker asked if KWP will continue taking care of fish. McClosky responded they would.

Becker also asked if private boat docks will be affected and was told they would not. The docks would continue to fall under the lake's rules.

Myron Kline asked what would happen if KWP would end the contract. Mounts responded KWP would not end the partnership.

If the county were to discontinue the lease, the funding provided to the county would be pro-rated and the county would return the appropriate amount.

McClosky reminded the commission of the impact KWP has had on the lake by replenishing several different species of fish.

Becker agreed the lake was a better fishery.

The commission was told if the county did not participate in this program, the lake would go to the bottom of the list for consideration of grants.

By participating in the program, the county will be considered with other participants in grant programs.

The county qualifies for a grant up to $40,000 with 75 percent of the funds provided by the grant and the county providing 25 percent.

Snelling asked if grant funds could be used to replace the dock by the swimming beach. KWP representatives responded it could.

Possible dam repair and road improvements also were discussed.

Snelling said the state may require the dam and road to be elevated. He was told federal funds could be used for those required improvements if mandated by the state.

Changes to the lake's regulations in the form of a resolution will be made by the county attorney. The commission then will have to approve the proposed changes. When approved, fishing fees will no longer be charged for those with a Kansas fishing license.

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