Bill that would make launching boat from highway right-of-way a crime expected to sink
A bill introduced last month in the North Carolina General Assembly would make it illegal to launch any type of vessel from the right-of-way of a public highway or road.
But state Sen. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck), who represents the northeast corner of the state, said in an interview he is adamantly opposed to the proposal on multiple grounds, and that it is not expected to pass.
Sponsored by Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Moore), Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) and Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick), Senate Bill 220, entitled “Protect Private Property Rights” would make changes to state laws on trespassing on private property to hunt or fish.
The draft bill’s preamble includes language indicating the proposal came from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, which regulates all hunting in the state, as well as fishing on inland and joint waterways.
It coincides with the commission proposing to require boaters, kayakers and canoeists who use one of their boating access areas to have either a fishing or hunting license, or purchase an access pass annually.
“Any person who willfully launches any motorized or un-motorized watercraft from the right-of-way of a public highway or street into a body of water adjacent to the right-of-way, except in public areas designated for boating access, is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor,” according to the bill that, if approved, would become law on October 1.
A Class 3 misdemeanor in North Carolina carries a maximum penalty of 20 days in jail and a $200 fine. Other crimes in the same class include simple possession of marijuana, shoplifting, and some traffic violations.
That provision would apparently make it illegal to use boat ramps such as the one located adjacent to Long Shoal Creek where U.S. 264 crosses the Dare/Hyde county line on the mainland.
It is not clear if that would include the ramp at Indiantown Creek Bridge at the Currituck/Camden county line, which according to Currituck property records is located on private property and outside the N.C. Department of Transportation’s right-of-way for South Indiantown Road.
The new law would apparently also not allow the launching of kayaks or canoes into waterways that run alongside area roads.
That includes the canals in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge next to U.S. 64 on the Dare mainland, Parkers Creek along the Waterlily Road causeway near Coinjock, among others.
The bill would also amend laws governing hunting on private lands and in waterfowl blinds, increasing penalties for violations, and elevates the taking of deer by spotlight to a level two misdemeanor.
Hanig said Wednesday he had received hundreds of calls from constituents opposed to the bill since the weekend.
Many came from hunters who see it as a threat to their use of dogs to track animals, which continues to be a popular practice in Hanig’s district.
Water sports enthusiasts said it could make it impossible to kite surf or wind surf at many of the East Coast’s most popular spots located on the Outer Banks.
