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NH Fish and Game could use rescue of its own

By Staff | Feb 8, 2013

The House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee heard testimony last month on a bill that would establish dedicated funding sources for search and rescue operations.

We can only hope it gets a better reception from lawmakers than previous efforts over the years, which have saddled the self-funded Fish and Game Department with annual six-figure deficits in this critical service.

Under the bipartisan bill (HB 256) sponsored by Rep. Gene Chandler, R-Bartlett, the department would:

• Set a minimum flat fee for all rescue operations – with some exceptions – based on the final cost to the state: $350 for rescues up to $1,000; $600 for rescues from $1,000 to $1,500; and $1,000 for rescues in excess of $1,500.

• Add a $10 surcharge to all fines issued for violating fish and game regulations.

• Make available a “hike safe” card for a one-time fee of $18 that would exempt owners from any costs associated with future rescues.

As one might expect of a fee-hike bill, it received a lukewarm response at the hearing, particularly from those who believe rescue fees discourage wayward hikers from seeking help, putting themselves and others at even greater risk.

Even the sponsors of the measure acknowledged its shortcomings.

“The bill before you is not perfect, and I admit that,” said Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester, a co-sponsor. “We have got to do something. The resources of Fish and Game are being stretched beyond belief.”

True enough. For the past six years, the search and rescue fund has run an annual deficit in excess of $100,000 – $200,000 in the past two years. Without an infusion of new money, that is expected only to get worse.

That’s because the New Hampshire National Guard has been told it can no longer use its training budget to provide free helicopter assistance to the state. The actual cost going forward? Between $4,400 and $5,600 an hour.

Currently, funding for Fish and Game rescues comes from a $1 fee collected each year from each boat, snowmobile and off-road vehicle registration – a fee that has remain unchanged since its inception in 1989. The only other revenue source is what it is able to collect in reimbursements from those rescued who are deemed to be “negligent” under a 2008 state law.

But even that hasn’t helped much. During the past six years, Fish and Game has collected only $53,317 of the $83,025 it has billed the 38 people it found to be negligent. To put those numbers into some perspective, the 957 search and rescue missions during that period cost the department roughly $1.8 million.

Clearly, the funding mechanisms in place are no longer sufficient to cover the ever-increasing costs of these operations.

We don’t have any strong objections to this bill, other than any money generated still would fall far short of covering the cost of these missions, according to the fiscal note attached to the bill.

Perhaps state officials also should consider doubling the $1 fee for boat, snowmobile and off-road vehicle registrations – a cost that has remained stagnant for 24 years – which would raise an additional $200,000 a year based on average revenue for the past five years. Another option would be to add a few bucks onto the annual hunting ($103) and fishing ($53) license fees for nonresidents.

Either way, this would be a good year for lawmakers to provide a little rescue of their own.

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