BOAT USER FEES

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Brent Manning, Illinois Department of Conservation director, reminds boaters that the federal government has started charging a new annual recreational boat user fee.

"The Department of Conservation is not levying or collecting the fee," said Manning. "But, I thin is important for the DOC to notify its constituents of this new requirement.

The fee applies to motorboats ad sailboats more than 16 feet long which are operated on most navigable waters of the U.S. The fee ranges from $25 to $100 depending on the length of the board.

Additional information is available by calling the U.S. Coast Guard, 1-800-451-9148.

A decal must be displayed on boats which are required to pay the fee. The Coast Guard said it will no issue any violation tickets until Aug. 31, to provide sufficient time for the public to pay the fee, which went into effect Aug. 1.