On Watch

from Northwest Yachting April 2021 Issue

Arrivals

Snakes And Ladders

Columnist PETER SCHRAPPEN pulls from one author’s analogy of snakes and dragons to outline the boating issues rearing their heads the next legislative session.

BY PETER SCHRAPPEN

Looking for a book to peruse? I suggest Dragons and Snakes by David Kilcullen (Oxford University Press; 2020). While the author uses dragons (think countries like Russia and China) and snakes (he’s talking smaller threats like variants of Al-Qaeda) to lay out various threats to the United States in a post-Cold War period, you could apply the same framing devices to the boating world. More specifically, here’s a description of the book: “Just a few years ago, people spoke of the U.S. as a hyperpower—a titan stalking the world stage with more relative power than any empire in history.” Yet as early as 1993, CIA director James Woolsey pointed out that although Western powers had “slain a large dragon” by defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War, they now faced a “bewildering variety of poisonous snakes.”” Let’s turn to boating now. Yes, while we look to come out of COVID-19 in some form or fashion, boating has seen a moment in the sun. Look at this data point: boat sales were up by 13% in 2020 over last year. However, given this resurgence, our collective guards are up, now more than ever, as the legislature convenes in Olympia (okay, convenes virtually with minimal activity happening at the state capitol) for the 105-day legislative session. Where are we with big hairy dragons and sneaky snakes? As for dragons, I am pleased to report that the talk around adding a luxury tax to vessels over $100,000 has lost considerable steam. Who’s to say if this dragon is slayed once and for all (probably not), but this tax has not made it into any of tax and budget packages. The dragon remains tucked away under our bed. Another dragon is the North of Falcon proceedings, currently underway as we go to print, that determine the recreational, commercial, and tribal fishing rules. Each year, recreational anglers see less opportunity as a result of the negotiations between the state of Washington and the tribes. The state advocates on our behalf (in theory), and we hope and pray that recreational salmon fishing does not fall victim to the declining salmon runs. Also, keep in mind that the commercial fishing salmon seasons are set here, too. Yes, the same commercial fishing industry that still uses gillnets to catch all kinds of wild and hatchery salmon. It’s complicated, it’s a mess, and it’s a scary dragon. (If you want to see how a recreational angling group is looking to smite this dragon, bookmark www.FishNorthwest.org to keep track of the lawsuit that’s making its way through the courts.) If dragons weren’t enough, Mr. Kilcullen spends considerable time in his book about the danger of snakes. They are sneakier than dragons, able to adapt, and pick, pick, pick away at their foe. Naturally, there are lots of snakes, too. How about the state Department of Revenue wanting to change tax laws in a 50-page bill to raise taxes on boat owners? In the eleventh hour, the recreational boating gaggle of lobbyists got wind of this idea and leapt into action to have this language removed. Whew, that was a close one. There are other dragons and snakes we could play with in future columns. Given the probability of unintended consequences, one day’s friendly puppy of a bill could morph into a dragon years from now as these issues play out. As President Truman used to say, “If you wanted a friend in politics, get a dog.” I’d add: “And don’t forget to set up your Google search and keyword alert, too.”