NOTEBOOK: NEW ZONES IN RED TAPE.

Byline: Bill Becher Special to the Daily News

The controversial new marine reserves at the Channel Islands did not take effect Jan. 1 as planned, according to John Ugoretz of the California Department of Fish and Game.

Delays in completing the administrative-law process have pushed off implementation of the new no-fishing zones at San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands until February. Ugoretz suggest anglers call the DFG's Santa Barbara Field Office at [phone] before going out to fish at the islands to check on the status of the reserves.

--Park fees rise: Users of California's state parks were among the first to feel the impact of the state's budget woes in the form of increased fees.

On Jan. 1, day-use fees at state parks increased to between $2 and $5, up from a maximum of $3.

Basic camping fees now are $13, compared to last year's $12. Additional fees now apply to extras such as parking additional vehicles, premium sites ($4) and peak seasons ($3) at most locations. Those who made campground reservations before the first of the year will not pay the higher camping fee but will have to pay for additional vehicles at the day-use rate.

Boat-launching fees, eliminated two years ago, now range from $2 to $4. An annual boat-launching pass is $45. The day-use fee, or an annual day-use pass, is still required when using the annual boat-launching pass.

Annual state parks day-use passes now cost $67. They previously were $35.

Even with the increase, fees are lower than they were before 2000, when they were substantially reduced or eliminated during California's economic boom.

--License time: You will need to buy a new fishing license for the 2003 season. Last year's licenses expired Dec. 31, and there is no grace period. The DFG's online license-purchase program ended at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2002, when funding ran out.

The DFG plans to incorporate Internet license sales in its Automated License Data System that is under construction. In the meantime, sport fishing and hunting licenses are available through agents at more than 2,350 locations throughout California or at DFG-licensed sales offices.

--DFG gets cut: The DFG also is feeling the effects of Gov. Gray Davis' midyear budget cuts, which eliminated 31 vacant enforcement positions, including game wardens, patrol captains and other supervisory staff. Since the positions already are vacant, no layoffs are planned.

The DFG also made cuts in the Urban Fishing Program that provides education and fishing opportunities in areas of Sacramento, Fresno, San Francisco and Los Angeles.