"In Our Opinion"

"Vermont User Fee for Canadians?"

Editorial Staff of HARBOR WATCH

e remember the good ole’ days, when marinas were full, boats increased in value, and yacht clubs had 10 year waiting lists. We remember when new boats, power and sail alike, sold as fast as they were made.

It’s different now. Boats, like cars, devalue each year. Marinas are advertising "special deals for new customers", and yacht clubs are actively looking for members. I can on my fingers count the number of new sailboats sold on the lake last year .

The Vermont legislators are still living in the glory days of the 1980’s, when money was cheap, the Canadian \US exchange rate was in single digits, and our friends from Canada were making the trip to "the states" to enjoy the beauty of Lake Champlain, and spend their money. An unfavorable exchange rate, along with political uneasiness and a huge Canadian deficit, have contributed to the diminishing Canadian presence on the lake. Adding insult to injury, the State of Vermont taxes its visitors, further driving a wedge between our societies.

Our Federal government signs a highly touted agreement promoting "free trade" between Canada and the US, while Vermont answers it with a "user fee". Federal law requires a vessel in Vermont or NY waters for more than 90 consecutive days to register in that state. NY doesn’t aggressively enforce this law due to the ease with which the consecutive days rule can be broken. Vermont has an additional law that requires any vessel in Vermont waters for more than 30 cumulative days to acquire a Vessel Validation Sticker. In Vermont, if you apply for a Vessel Validation Sticker and you are from a state with either a lower sales tax or no sales tax, or if you are from another country you are then liable for the 5% Vermont sales tax.

Is it any wonder thatCanadians keep their boats in NY and limit their time in Vermont waters? One alternative for Canadians is to not get the validation sticker and risk getting an approximately $60 ticket. If your boat is worth more than $3000 - you're ahead of the game.

We understand that there are some folks who want to keep Lake Champlain isolated from Canadian visitors. We disagree. Lake Champlain is an international lake and we should welcome visitors from Canada, extending them the same courtesies we give visitors when they come to Vermont for a skiing vacation. This is a repressive tax and it should be eliminated.

For more information

Mark Gardner	Ken Signorello