Many States do not have programs as extensive as the three described, but do provide 

 significant assistance. The Illinois Department of Conservation collects marine fuel taxes in 

 excess of $2 million per year, which are used for developing boating facilities. The 

 department does not construct small-craft harbors, but their program is oriented toward 

 construction of access facilities to serve the needs of boaters. Statistics show that 90 percent 

 of the boaters of Illinois trailer their boats and use the State-provided launch ramps, parking 

 areas, comfort stations, drinking water, Ughting, and small picnic areas. Facihties are located 

 primarily on navigable public rivers of the State and Federal-State impoundments, and the 

 interior lakes of the State. New Mexico, North Carolina, and Minnesota have programs 

 similar to that of lUinois. Other States offer Uttle assistance or none at all. 



c. Information Programs. Many States provide significant assistance in the form of 

 information centers and aids to planning small-craft harbors and other boating facilities. 

 These States usually have compiled, or can gain access to data and reports that can help 

 justify either local-public or -private participation in smaU-boat harbor development. 

 Reports on traffic patterns, annual income figures for existing facihties, boating and fishing 

 seasons, and fish populations are particularly useful in the economic evaluation of any given 

 site. 



Most States pubhsh data on availability of small-craft facilities and on boating activities 

 within those States. Many States sponsor special boating activities such as sea festivals and 

 regattas, and some develop marine parks. Florida has an underwater State park on one of its 

 Keys. These State activities and sources of information, together with such ancillary services 

 as navigation and boating safety courses offered by agencies of many States, complement 

 the Federal programs and local development efforts in furthering the advantageous use of 

 navigable waters throughout the Nation. 

 3. Local Governments. 



a. General. Most marinas, with the possible exception of those being constructed by the 

 Federal and State government on their own lands, will require some degree of interface with 

 the local government. The relationship of a marina to the local community is based on 

 mutual needs and cooperative goals of the parties involved, including the community. 

 Communities have developed rules and regulations that must be respected, and many also 

 have master plans for economic growth and for land development and management. These 

 plans must also be respected. A new waterfront development, including a small-craft harbor 

 or marina, must be compatible with the established plans of the community or it will not 

 receive the support of civic leaders or administrative officials. 



Many municipal and county planning boards have already provided for waterfront 

 development, and a small-craft facility may be the logical improvement of an undeveloped 

 waterfront. A city or county can derive as much benefit from a marina as from a park, 

 playground, golf course, swimming pool, or any other recreational facility. Many marinas, 

 often combined with one or more of these other facilities, have proved to be assets to the 

 local community. 



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