OLYMPIA — Efforts to eliminate a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) implemented boat lift fee on Moses Lake continues in Olympia.

Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, met with new Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark to discuss the issue.

“His agency’s concern is that the use of boat lifts without a fee could shift the costs of management  to the general public,” she stated. “He has committed to conducting a transparent scientific review and stakeholder process in which the Moses Lake ?community will be invited to participate.”

Warnick stated Goldmark committed to continue working with her and Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, until the issue is resolved.

Warnick introduced House Bill 1750 to eliminate the boat lift fee in Washington. The bill died in the House Government Appropriations Committee in February.

Last summer, several boat lift owners on Moses Lake were ticketed with notices advising them to register their boat lift with DNR by paying a $175 annual fee. The fee was to pay for the cost to file the fee. After several concerns were made by the Moses Lake community and lawmakers, DNR halted the registration process to further investigate the issue and to determine if the boat lifts are on public or private property.