Help Stop New Access Fee and Bridge Access Ban in NC

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is proposing an annual $30 license to use the river access sites they manage, and at the same time legislators are proposing legislation that would make it illegal to put in or take out almost anywhere else, namely at public bridges and right-of-ways. Together these proposals squeeze boaters onto relatively few rivers where they must pay a fee. Together these proposals squeeze boaters onto relatively few rivers where they must pay a fee. Obviously this is a huge problem and we need our community in North Carolina to take action by contacting your legislator and the NCWRC to protect our river access in the state. Let your NC rep know how you feel about the access bill by finding your legislator here and let the agency know how you feel about their proposed “Conservation License” here.  

The Bridge Access Ban

Senate Bill 220 was filed in the legislature on February 27, 2025 by Senators Rabon, McInnis, and Britt. The legislation states it was drafted on recommendation of NCWRC, though that does not appear to be the case. The bill states: “Any person who willfully launches any motorized or unmotorized 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." A very large percentage of river access in the state would be made illegal if this bill passes. 

Paddling on North Carolina’s rivers and streams is a well established right that contributes to the state’s recreation economy, manufacturing sector, and the quality of life for many residents. Roads and rivers are two public transportation systems that intersect at bridges. In order for the public to be able to enjoy our paddling rights, we have to be able to use bridges to get on and off of the water. SB 220 is a dubious effort to strip away the public right to float rivers by eliminating access rights. 

Take Action: If you live in North Carolina, please reach out to your legislators and let them know how you feel about this bill. Find your legislator here. 

The Access License & Fee

In an ostensibly separate effort, the NCWRC is proposing to require an annual license to use any of the boating access areas that they manage across the state, as well as to use the agency’s game lands for any form of recreation. This license – which they call a conservation license – would be required for anyone that does not have a hunting or fishing license, and was estimated to cost $30 per year. 

NCWRC argues the fee is needed to create equity between licensed hunters and anglers and other kinds of recreationists who do not pay NCWRC for a license. However, the Agency’s budget shows that boating related income already fully covers the 9% of their budget that goes to Land and Water Access, not to mention the significant income from state and federal taxpayer funding. The bulk of the agency’s spending goes to enforcing hunting and fishing limits, fish stocking, and other activities that do not benefit paddlers and other non-consumptive visitors. Agency staff have indicated that if paddlers and others pay more into the system, they will not receive enhanced representation on the Commission, consideration in decisions, or services from NCWRC. The money would go into the agency’s general fund.  

While American Whitewater actively supports funding for river access and appreciates NCWRC's river access work, this is not the way to go about it. The license would be cost prohibitive for many visitors, would deter use, would conflict with the wishes of many access-related land and funding donors, would not lead to commensurate changes in representation in NCWRC, and is not justified. We would prefer to work on increased state and federal funding, and would support limited on-site fees needed to cover expenses, but this license is not good policy. 

Take Action: Let the agency know how you feel about their proposed “Conservation License” through their Comment Portal by 3/28/2025.