WASHINGTON D.C. - – U.S. Representative Dan Boren and Senator Jim Inhofe plan to introduce legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to remove the United States Coast Guard from its licensing role for fishing guides who operate small, passenger vessels on Lake Texoma.
Boren’s legislation would allow the State of Oklahoma’s Department of Wildlife to continue with its development of licensing procedures for these vessels. The Oklahoma State Legislature approved legislation this past session, and it was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry, that would give the state agency that authority.
Congressman Dan Boren: “We can all agree that safety for the guides and their customers is critical. However, it is also important to establish regulations that allow these guides to continue their business in a way that allows the safe and responsible operators to thrive. The fishing tourism industry is important to the Lake Texoma region, just as it is in several spots in Oklahoma. There are several enforcement agencies on Lake Texoma already, and we should allow the State to continue developing its own licensing procedure before adding this federal layer.”
Senator Jim Inhofe: “While the waters on Lake Texoma are considered “navigable” and currently subject to federal regulation, this is inherently a state function and should be regulated at that level. This legislation will cede authority to conduct the licensing of fishing guides to the proper governing entity, which is the State of Oklahoma and not the federal government. I applaud Congressman Boren for taking this first step and plan to follow suit in the coming days by introducing companion legislation in the United States Senate.”
Since Lake Texoma is considered “navigable waters” because of its location between two states, current federal statute places it under Coast Guard jurisdiction. However, for the past fifteen years the Coast Guard has not been enforcing these licensing requirements for operators of the small passenger vessels similar to those used by many fishing guides on Lake Texoma.
The Coast Guard recently issued flyers around the lake area stating their plans to begin exercising this regulatory authority. In order to be compliant, guides would have to spend hundreds of dollars for exams and licensing fees, or else be subject to heavy fines.
Concern about the sudden appearance of notifications warning enforcement of these regulations on the lake, threatening the fishing tourism industry, was brought to the attention of the Oklahoma delegation by state elected officials and citizens living in the Lake Texoma area.
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