From Hayden Lake Watershed Association:

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS NEEDED

Contact the Board of County Commissioners

On February 23rd the Board of County Commissioners heard a recommendation from the Kootenai County Waterways Advisory Board, the Sheriff’s office, and the Parks and Waterways Department, that Ordinance 2021-63 20-38 be rescinded. This is the excessive wake ordinance that we all worked so hard to have approved several years ago. On Hayden Lake that is 300 feet from dock, shoreline, or person in the water for boats that are towing or plowing.

Sgt. Miller, on behalf of the KCSO, proposed 150 feet from shore on the Spokane River, but also proposed restrictions for times of towing/plowing, i.e. none on weekends between 10am and 6pm, and none at all on the 4th of July. There were no protections suggested for other lakes and waterways.

The Parks and Waterways Department wanted the times for no towing to be from 12pm to 6pm on weekends and the 4th of July, with no mention of additional protections for other waterways.

The KCSO recommendations stem from two concerns:

1. Inadequate personnel to enforce existing guidelines. The Sheriff’s department has been unable to recruit and hire marine patrol officers. They anticipate that they will have three two-man teams and one full time deputy for all the county waterways this summer.

2. Difficulty of enforcing illegal wakes and distance from shorelines; in particular they don’t care to enforce different distances on different waterways.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Leslie Duncan stated that she voted against the current ordinance twice, saying that she feels people should police their own behavior, and since the ordinance can’t be enforced, it should be eliminated. She is not in favor of public hearings as she feels she has heard enough already.

Commissioner Brooks is opposed to rescinding the ordinance and thinks a public hearing is necessary. New Commissioner Mattare thinks he should hear from the public, but no decision was made about public hearings on February 23rd.

The Commissioners have asked for public feedback in writing.

Let them know how you feel about eliminating the excessive wake zone (Ordinance 2021-63 20-38).

Key points you may consider:

It is the responsibility of our Commissioners to protect the public safety; those living on or around the lake, fishermen, kayakers, swimmers, etc. Finding enforcement officers should be their primary concern, instead of the approach of abandoning rules just because they can’t be enforced. Do we abandon roadway rules like speed limits and stop signs because we don't have enough deputies?

State law also states that is the responsibility of the commissioners to protect private property. Hayden Lake docks, boats and shorelines are damaged every day from excessive wakes. State law also says that at no time will you operate a boat that causes damage to property. If you've had damage or an experience with personal safety being endangered, please note that in your letter.

The Hayden Lake Watershed Association has worked hard to educate the public with mailings, signage, and distribution of written information to the residents and boating public. We have distributed over 5,000 information cards. Education and the presence of the 200 foot buoys owned by the Watershed Improvement District has led to an improvement of boater compliance with wake zone rules.  Why throw these rules out for our lake? It's working here. People are smart enough to figure out different rules when they're fishing in different lakes. Why can't they tailor their behavior to comply with our lake's excessive wake regulations?

Erosion and turbidity generated by excessive wakes provide nutrients for invasive weed growth and compromise the fishery. This is well documented, both in our experience and through accredited research.

Write to the Commissioners with the link below: 

Contact the Board of County Commissioners

Also send a copy to: jgillham@kcgov.us, and he will make sure the commissioners see your letter.