More Fees at Lake Oroville
California State Park Services wanted to add new taxation through new permit fees on the Lake Oroville boating ramps.  At the beginning of the year all business working in and around Lake Oroville on state property were being required to apply for concessions permits and pay 10% of gross receipts. This would require an increase in charges into the hundreds of dollars for local hauls and thousands for long distance hauls coming on or off the lake.  The industry is bucking back and not accepting these new guidelines. 
A compromise fee structure was reached last week between industry leaders and state officials.  Details are still being determined, but as of now there will be added fees to the use of the state parks facilities at Oroville to assemble and dissassemble houseboats.  Surcharges will also be added to ramp use by heavy commercial vehicles.  These fees are going to be less than the original state proposal, but rates for this summers' haul outs and water launches will go up to cover the extra cost. Nick Parker updated 4/13/2009