2014/04/23 Council Agenda Packet

t4 �stnrF Don Hoch s-W:. . •ter Director a�fz 2889 STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINNG I OIC! STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1111 Israel Road S.W. •P.O.Sox 42650 O Olympia,WA 98504-2650 a(360)902-8500) TDD(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf): (360)664-3133 www.parks.wa.gov February 18,2014 TO: County&City Law Enforcement Agencies with Recreational Boating Safety Approved Programs !� I I� FROM: Mark Kenny, State Parks Boating Program ,' � Sherri Sweeney, State Parks Boating Program f SUBJECT: Recreational Boating Safety Federal Financial Assistance Grants For 2014 The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is pleased to announce that funds from the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety program are available for recreational boating safety grants. These grant funds are specifically for reducing boating-related loss of life, personal injury, and property damage tied to the U.S. Coast Guard's Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program 2012 -2016. This is accomplished by using the grant funds for on-water law enforcement hours for patrol by officers who have completed a basic Recreational Boating Safety training course meeting State Parks standards. Review the plan at httn://www.uscgboating.org/. Note this plan has emphasis on: - Increased life jacket wear, - Increased compliance with mandatory boater education requirements, - Increased compliance with boat operation under the influence of alcohol/drugs,and - Increased enforcement of operator compliance with navigation rules (negligent, reckless, the rules of the road in WAC 352-60)and equipment rules. We want increased patrol hours, vessel inspections, and the enforcement of regulations. We think this will result in greater compliance by boat operators and make Washington's waterways safer for all users. Grant Eligibility Law enforcement agencies that operate approved boating safety programs under WAC 352-65 may be eligible to apply for a grant in 2014. See Attachment#1. 1 72