Spirit Lake, IA (KICD) — Despite the preference of DNR enforcement officers to treat all vessels the same, the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission has voted to exempt barge, dock, and boat companies from the 5 mile per hour speed limit on their local lakes for one week. Business owners say they’re already racing the clock to prevent further damage to docks, hoists, and boats; and the speed limit is slowing them down.
The commission voted 8 to 2 for the exception Friday. The two “no” votes were Sheriff Greg Balloun, and retired Police Officer Mitch Waters who said it creates an enforcement nightmare. Commission Chair Bill Maahs – himself a retired DNR Enforcement officer – said the desire to protect shoreline needs to be balanced with the need to protect expensive, private property. The service vehicles must be identified with flashing, amber lights; and representatives of the companies say they will voluntarily move at slower speeds as they approach the lakeshore.
The board will reconvene at noon June 28th Friday to review how it’s going.
The commission voted 7 to 3 against exempting sailboats from the rule.
And they unanimoulsy approved sending a letter to the Governor’s office asking for quicker permit approval on the Lower Gar outlet where the county believes a bridge instead of culverts will allow the Okoboji chain to drain faster during flood events.
The commission first met on Monday to consider enacting the 5 mile per hour speed limit. Sheriff Balloun – who missed the initial meeting – questioned why an emergency meeting was needed since the speed limit already goes into effect when West Okoboji hits 6.2 feet, at the outlet, or Spirit Lake hits 16 feet at the spillway. The rest of the commission agreed the previous action was superfluous voted to rescind the Monday decision. The water level must fall below those levels at both lakes for three consecutive days for the restiction to come off.