New Hampshire Cracks Down On Search And Rescue Costs
December 29, 2008
The state of New Hampshire has signed into law one of the most stringent search and rescue measures in the nation. If you get lost in the wilderness and refuse to pay for rescue, you can now lose the priveledge of hunting and fishing, driving, and licenses associated with the Health and Human Services Department. The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game currently has the authority to fine those individuals who become lost, or need the assistance of search and rescue in the wilderness. This new law will place added restrictions that can be imposed upon failure to pay.
This new law also makes it easier for fines to be implemented. Previously, authorities had to prove that someone acted recklessly before fines could be administered. The new regulation has changed ‘recklessly’ to ‘negligent’ and left the final decision up to authorities on who gets fined.
Fish and Game Col. Martin Garabedian, chief of law enforcement, said the cases now under review might not have gone forward without the new law. Most of these cases involve people who wandered from a trail or a campsite without supplies or a flashlight. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce the numbers (of rescues). We’d like to do it through education, but in some instances, we have to forcefully educate,” Garabedian said.
This is coming from an article posted on the WMUR Channel 9 website, out of New Hampshire.
It is noted that New Hampshire has spent a total of $1 million over the past 10 years on search and rescue activities. Of that $1 million, only $25,000 has been recuperated.
How do you feel about being charged for search and rescue? This has been a hot topic for the past two years and I have covered it extensively, but now it looks like things will be getting tougher. My thoughts on this vary. If someone ventures into the wilds without the proper equipment or know-how to survive than I could see that being a problem. In the same token, accidents happen. What’s going to stop authorities from using this measure to go after those that couldn’t help the situation? To my knowledge, this is the toughest measure currently in place aimed directly at search and rescue. Now if you make a mistake, you may lose your hunting, fishing, AND driver’s license. You better remember that flashlight next time you head to the woods! Sheesh!
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under New Hampshire |
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