muskynut
04-07-2021, 01:47 PM
To Whom It May Concern:
As a user group comprised of everyday fisher people, tournament anglers, and professional fishing guides, we are writing to express our shock, dismay and deepest concerns with regards to the privatization of Greenwood Lake and the associated lack of access for public launching.
Recently, a marina that we commonly used to launch boats at on weekdays, weekends, and at night with special permissions was sold to new ownership. Per phone calls that were placed to this marina, they clearly indicated that they would no longer allow public launching. To further complicate this situation, we have seen launch fees steadily rise over the past few years from $10/weekday to $20 weekday or more. The prices also hiked up significantly by marina owners on weekends, anywhere from $30-50, just to launch a boat. In some cases, guest cars (i.e. companions to the anglers on outings) are also being charged. The general attitude from the vast majority of marina owners towards the fishing public is indifference, or outright negativity. We have had one marina owner tell us directly, " I could care less about the fishermen". As long as they can make their money renting dock space, and selling wave runners and pontoon boats, the could truly care less.
It seems quite clear to us that this PUBLIC waterbody, Greenwood Lake, is on its way to become monopolized/privatized to serve the interests of the few. By the 'few" we re referring to recreational boaters and the like who are plunking down big money to reserve slips on floating docks set by marina owners. Some places charge upwards of $2000 per slip for the season. What is clearly taking place is that the continuation of this trend will cause Greenwood Lake to become "off limits" to everyday/weekend anglers, tournament anglers, and fishing guides as prices become too expensive.
This is completely unacceptable. Again, Greenwood Lake is a PUBLIC water body that is stocked by the states of New York and New Jersey. Funding for the raising and stocking of various fish species in the lake comes directly from the sale of fishing licenses that give the holder the right to fish the lake, and also from federal resource laws such as the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop Breaux Act. As anglers, we often have to wheel and deal with marina owners just to gain access/launch. For example, with regards to ice off/early spring conditions, many of us would like to fish right now in open water in early spring, yet find ourselves at the mercy of marina owners who are not open for business yet, or are in the process of putting their docks in, etc. We are being prevented from accessing a stocked waterbody that our license allows us to fish. Additionally, with respect to night fishing, most marinas close at a particular time (5 or 6 pm), thus their launch ramps close and launching is prohibited until the following morning. Our state licenses give us all the right to fish this public waterbody at all times - day, night, weekdays, and weekends. But we are prevented from doing so by the aforementioned marina owners and their policies.
We find it totally frustrating and unfair that these marinas effectively dictate access to Greenwood Lake and the launching of boats to go fishing. Frankly, the lake should not be stocked by either state if the everyday angler cannot access it, or has to jump through a multitude of unnecessary roadblocks put forth by marina owners in order to access it.
Bottom line- we are formally requesting that a STATE BOAT LAUNCH (es) be installed along Greenwood Lake's shorelines. There has been talk of a ramp around Brown's Point area, but nothing has ever come to fruition. You need only look at several surrounding States like New York and Connecticut to see great examples of public launches that have alleviated these issues. Candlewood Lake in Connecticut has several free launch ramps whereby all the angler has to do is drive up, launch their boat, and they are good to go. Many NY lakes have free launch ramps with no associated fees. There are many examples of public launches that work for everyone, not just the affluent or private citizens living around the lakes, throughout the Northeast as well as the rest of the country. An angler can even drive up to Lake Ontario and launch at several free launch areas. This is what is needed on a multi-boundary water like Greenwood Lake.
Attached please find a signed petition by everyday fisher people, tournament anglers, fishing guides, etc. in favor for a STATE BOAT LAUNCH (ES) to be built on the shores of Greenwood Lake (NY/NJ)/
Respectfully
Concerned Anglers Utilizing Greenwood Lake for its fishery.
As a user group comprised of everyday fisher people, tournament anglers, and professional fishing guides, we are writing to express our shock, dismay and deepest concerns with regards to the privatization of Greenwood Lake and the associated lack of access for public launching.
Recently, a marina that we commonly used to launch boats at on weekdays, weekends, and at night with special permissions was sold to new ownership. Per phone calls that were placed to this marina, they clearly indicated that they would no longer allow public launching. To further complicate this situation, we have seen launch fees steadily rise over the past few years from $10/weekday to $20 weekday or more. The prices also hiked up significantly by marina owners on weekends, anywhere from $30-50, just to launch a boat. In some cases, guest cars (i.e. companions to the anglers on outings) are also being charged. The general attitude from the vast majority of marina owners towards the fishing public is indifference, or outright negativity. We have had one marina owner tell us directly, " I could care less about the fishermen". As long as they can make their money renting dock space, and selling wave runners and pontoon boats, the could truly care less.
It seems quite clear to us that this PUBLIC waterbody, Greenwood Lake, is on its way to become monopolized/privatized to serve the interests of the few. By the 'few" we re referring to recreational boaters and the like who are plunking down big money to reserve slips on floating docks set by marina owners. Some places charge upwards of $2000 per slip for the season. What is clearly taking place is that the continuation of this trend will cause Greenwood Lake to become "off limits" to everyday/weekend anglers, tournament anglers, and fishing guides as prices become too expensive.
This is completely unacceptable. Again, Greenwood Lake is a PUBLIC water body that is stocked by the states of New York and New Jersey. Funding for the raising and stocking of various fish species in the lake comes directly from the sale of fishing licenses that give the holder the right to fish the lake, and also from federal resource laws such as the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop Breaux Act. As anglers, we often have to wheel and deal with marina owners just to gain access/launch. For example, with regards to ice off/early spring conditions, many of us would like to fish right now in open water in early spring, yet find ourselves at the mercy of marina owners who are not open for business yet, or are in the process of putting their docks in, etc. We are being prevented from accessing a stocked waterbody that our license allows us to fish. Additionally, with respect to night fishing, most marinas close at a particular time (5 or 6 pm), thus their launch ramps close and launching is prohibited until the following morning. Our state licenses give us all the right to fish this public waterbody at all times - day, night, weekdays, and weekends. But we are prevented from doing so by the aforementioned marina owners and their policies.
We find it totally frustrating and unfair that these marinas effectively dictate access to Greenwood Lake and the launching of boats to go fishing. Frankly, the lake should not be stocked by either state if the everyday angler cannot access it, or has to jump through a multitude of unnecessary roadblocks put forth by marina owners in order to access it.
Bottom line- we are formally requesting that a STATE BOAT LAUNCH (es) be installed along Greenwood Lake's shorelines. There has been talk of a ramp around Brown's Point area, but nothing has ever come to fruition. You need only look at several surrounding States like New York and Connecticut to see great examples of public launches that have alleviated these issues. Candlewood Lake in Connecticut has several free launch ramps whereby all the angler has to do is drive up, launch their boat, and they are good to go. Many NY lakes have free launch ramps with no associated fees. There are many examples of public launches that work for everyone, not just the affluent or private citizens living around the lakes, throughout the Northeast as well as the rest of the country. An angler can even drive up to Lake Ontario and launch at several free launch areas. This is what is needed on a multi-boundary water like Greenwood Lake.
Attached please find a signed petition by everyday fisher people, tournament anglers, fishing guides, etc. in favor for a STATE BOAT LAUNCH (ES) to be built on the shores of Greenwood Lake (NY/NJ)/
Respectfully
Concerned Anglers Utilizing Greenwood Lake for its fishery.