Thanks to Steve Styduhar for alerting us to this important information. Sux as Miller is very popular with PWC, but I can't say I am surprised they want to charge us due to all the upkeep it requires with the silt.
I AM offended they will suppliment anyone other than the elderly and disabled though. Must be nice to draw welfare on your and my dime AND get a discount so dirtbags can go fishing while sitting on their backside - getting paid to do so
So long to free river access
Council approves boat launch fees at Garcia Bend and Miller Park.
By Ralph Montaņo -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 30, 2006
Story appeared in City section of the Sacramento Bee, Page H1
The Sacramento City Council has approved the creation of boat launching fees for the only free river access points in the city, the Miller Park and Garcia Bend ramps. By a unanimous vote, the council approved an $8 one-time launch fee, an $80 season pass and $40 season passes for people with low incomes and seniors. The proposed daily rate and seasonal rate is the same amount charged for vehicles and trailers at eight launch ramps operated by Sacramento County. The resolution adopted by the City Council last week also set a ceiling for the launching fee at $13.
City officials said the rising costs of operating and maintaining the city's small boat launches prompted the new fees. Silt removal is the biggest expense, estimated at about $110,000 a year. City officials said 1,000 cubic yards of sand were removed from the Miller Park boat launching area in 2005.
A crane digs silt out of the area with a clamshell bucket. The silt must be drained of water for about two days before it can be hauled away by a contractor. Regulations no longer allow the city to dispose of silt on city property. Other city costs include moving docks in and out with the water level, cleaning ramps and maintaining buoys around the ramps.
City officials estimate the fees will generate about $50,000 annually, even though they're unsure how many boats are launched from the two ramps annually. The re-maining cost of silt removal will come from the city's general fund.
Scott Peifer, a Pocket-area resident, told the City Council that the launching fee will dissuade some anglers from fishing on the river. "I see a lot of boats using Garcia Bend that can't be worth $100," Peifer said after the council meeting. "Those are the people who can't afford this." Peifer said the fees won't prevent him from using the launches, but enforcing them likely will create parking problems in the Pocket area.
The city plans to install a dispenser at the boat ramps that will issue tickets to be displayed in the window of vehicles towing boats. Vehicles towing a boat trailer without a ticket will be cited. City parking enforcement staff members will monitor the parking lots and issue citations.
Installing dispensers at the boat launches will cost an estimated $24,000. City officials expect the equipment to be in place for this summer's boating season.
To qualify for a $40 seasonal pass, residents must be 65 or older,
on Medi-Cal or have an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the county's Department of Health and Human Services. 
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