Laurel Lake GONE CRAZY!!!!

[redneckshadrap]

So whats the big deal on liability insurance on your boat, I've had it for over 30yrs along with hazard insuranceand so forth.If the premiums are goping to break you, dont fish tourneys.Some guys pay 16 bucks for one hard bait, and but several at a time, plus boats are not cheap, and niether are good tow vechicles.Even golfers need liability insurance.

Maybe they should have draw tourneys like they do the Elk hunts....

[fishalltime]

There's no big deal with liability insuance,if you carry insurance you have liability just not $600,000 unless you requested it .The basic starting rate on my Farm Bureau policy was $250,000 .Everyone that wanted to fish tournaments on Laurel will have raise there liability,no big deal,but at $20.00 per thousnd $ of liability coverage it isnt cheap on a already expensive premium.Couple that with only fishing tourny's there 1 or 2 times a year it isnt worth it to me.If this stands it wont be long before you have to carry this for just fishing any lake in Ky not only tournys.That ought to make the insurance company's happy,Just my opinion............

[Fntsyfbgod]

Guys realize this is the Daniel Boone National Forest not a Kentucky state agency doing this. Also realize that this is not that unusual for lakes on federal land. Cave Run may be next.

[kygorski]

Again that thing that mark twain said rings true, the rarest thing on earth is common sense'A canoe will not cause as much dam,age as a 30 ft bayliner.A 700 lb boat going 25 mph will not cause as much damage as a 21 ft3000 lb boat going 55 mph.Of course that small boat running full tilt into a mass baptism, well thats a different story.If you have assets worth 3000,000 bucks, minimum insurance is foolish.Thats what insurance does covers yer ass ets

[dc chopper]

I have an idea, screw Laurel and go somewhere else. Take away the money from the area, get changes. Its like a salesman told me once, get in their pocketbook and they will make changes. enough local owners start raising cain, you will get changes. Congress budgets the funds for these agencys, call and make some noise. I dont fish tourneys but give the govt an inch they will work out 10 miles.

[billm_usa1]

Before everyone gets really crazy, this shouldn't be a concern unless your a non-affiliated club. Both the Federation and Federation Nation have $1,000,000 liability policies for club events. This is already covered in your dues. There is no extra charge.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

There's no big deal with liability insuance,if you carry insurance you have liability just not $600,000 unless you requested it .The basic starting rate on my Farm Bureau policy was $250,000 .Everyone that wanted to fish tournaments on Laurel will have raise there liability,no big deal,but at $20.00 per thousnd $ of liability coverage it isnt cheap on a already expensive premium.Couple that with only fishing tourny's there 1 or 2 times a year it isnt worth it to me.If this stands it wont be long before you have to carry this for just fishing any lake in Ky not only tournys.That ought to make the insurance company's happy,Just my opinion............

it should be law that folks do have at least liability on a boat to put in the water anyway,with lakes as crowded as they are now and the way some folks run the boats.and pwc..i know many folks who fish that have basically never had insurance on their boat.the reason they want 600,000 is because if someone was to be severly hurt or even killed that 250,000 won't go far,and even if you sign a waiver there are ways they can be sued..

[fatbuck]

Does anyone know when this decision will be final, and how will they enforce this?

[jwp]

I just spoke with the District Ranger at the US Forest Service office in London.

The rumor is true. $50 permit and $300,000 liability insurance that covers the EVENT (not individual anglers). Apparently this has been on the books for some time, but "closed" tourneys (like club events) were exempt. He says that is no longer the case. All tourneys will require the permit and to get the permit you'll have to show proof of insurance for the event.

He has seen this thread and promised that their public affairs folks will continue to try to get the word out.

[Derek Ibarguen]

Hello, This is Derek Ibarguen, U.S. Forest Service District Ranger of the London Ranger District on the Daniel Boone National Forest. I want to take this opportunity to describe the changes in management of the Fishing Tournaments on Laurel River Lake and the reasoning behind it. I also want to make it clear that the management of fishing tournaments on Laurel River Lake is the responsiblity of the U.S. Forest Service not the state of Kentucky.

Up until 2010 the tournaments were considered "open" or "closed". Open tournaments were defined as open to the public, a fee was charged and liability insurance required. Closed tournaments were considered not open to the public, fee and liability insurance were waived.

Tournaments will be managed according to federal regulations on Laurel River Lake which do not distinguish between "open" and "closed" tournaments but do require a fee and liability insurance under certain circumstances. If an entry fee is charged and/or there are 75 more participants a permit is required. Subsequently all permits require a $50 fee, liability insurance and 30-days advance notice for permit processing.

If an entry fee is not charged and your tournament is less than 75 people a permit is not required.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me or Eloyce Promenschenkel, District Recreation Program Manager, at 606-864-4163.

Thanks, Happy Fishin'

[Wormin]

Thank you Mr Ibarguen for taking the time post this.

[Bass Jr. Executive]

Just received some more detail on this whole mess. My fishing partner spoke with the district office and was told that this was a new rule due to the liability of the Forestry Dept. !!!

The liabiity issue does not make sense because the government has sovereign immunity from law suits in most cases.