U.S. Representatives Dan Boren, and Tom Cole, together with Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator Tom Coburn, continue discussions with the U.S. Coast Guard to settle recent licensing issues for fishing guides at Lake Texoma.

Lake Texoma, considered “navigable waters” by current federal statute because of its location between two states, is under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.

For the past 15 years, the Coast Guard has not been enforcing licensing requirements for operators of uninspected passenger vessels like many fishing guides on Lake Texoma.

Recently, however, the Coast Guard issued flyers around the lake area stating their plans to begin exercising this regulatory authority. In order to be compliant, guides would have to spend hundreds of dollars for exams and licensing fees, or else be subject to heavy fines. Concern about the sudden appearance notifications warning enforcement of these regulations on Lake Texoma, threatening the fishing tourism industry, has not gone unnoticed by Oklahoma’s elected representatives, who are currently working on a legislative solution.

“Everyone involved with these discussions, and those who use the lake, have safety as their chief concern,” said Rep. Boren. “But to subject the average local fishing guide to the level of licensing requirements that the Coast Guard designed for major ports and waterways is like using a hammer to swat a fly. This sudden enforcement threatens the livelihood of these guides without any real added safety benefit, as the Coast Guard does not maintain a permanent presence on the lake and there are already other state and local agencies enforcing safety requirements.

The Oklahoma delegation is working on legislation that will cede jurisdiction of Lake Texoma to the State of Oklahoma and the State of Texas, said Sen. Inhofe.

“So that the federal government cannot interfere in this important industry,” he said. “I will work with the Oklahoma delegation to continue to monitor the situation at Lake Texoma and ensure that we reach a reasonable and common sense solution.”