Has anyone been successful in changing a lake ordinance?

[robbo3]

We have a lake ordinance that restricts speeds in excess of 10mph outside the hours of 11am and 3pm, which, as you can imagine does not provide optimal usage for those with watersports gear.

The topic has come up at several lake association meetings prior to my time and has been turned down as the majority of the lake has no interest in actually using the lake. We're on a smaller 200 acre lake, with home owners having mostly pontoon boats with a few speed boats. On most weekends, there are typically one 1-2 boats on the lake all day.

I'm looking to create a proposal that extends time, but has some compromise. My thought was to change it to read times as posted with the initial times being 2 hours after sunrise until 2 hours prior to sunset. Should things get out of control, the lake association would have the authority to draw the times down without modifying an ordinance.

Thoughts/opinions welcome.

 

[Bruce]

Perhaps add a lot of ballast and start surfing at 9.9 MPH throwing huge wakes for a few months then offer that if they will allow you to go faster you will reduce the size of your wake?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Perhaps add a lot of ballast and start surfing at 9.9 MPH throwing huge wakes for a few months then offer that if they will allow you to go faster you will reduce the size of your wake?

Lol! The old bats would start a no wake speed ordinance.

Sounds like you are screwed unless you get the majority of owners to back you up and take over the association. There are legitimate reasons to limit speed like bank erosion control and noise abatement.

 

[robbo3]

Lol! The old bats would start a no wake speed ordinance.

Sounds like you are screwed unless you get the majority of owners to back you up and take over the association. There are legitimate reasons to limit speed like bank erosion control and noise abatement.

That's been my thought, I've been recruiting support in order to have numbers in my favor. I've taken a few cruises after hours with Perfect Pass set at exactly 10mph, just to set the standard of what 10mph looks like (sometimes I don't empty ballast). Many that are for the ordinance do not want to reduce it to a no-wake restriction, they like to cruise their pontoon at enough of a pace to get a breeze.

If noise is a concern, I can always fire up the chainsaw at 8am, that's much louder than our boats

I suppose there's always the option to take the risk of someone actually trying to enforce it (call county Sherriff, to a small lake in the middle of no where, and attempt to enforce a speed limit). The fine is only $100, so I suppose if it's a nice day and all and we have guests I could eat the cost.

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Might want to find out intentions of ordinance. My guess is this is place to keep jet skis off the lake during those times. Maybe suggest that speed limit stay in place for pwc, but boats larger than 19ft allowed up to 25mph. Maybe this would allow water sports for you but still keep speeds in check for everyone and still deter the lake from being overrun with jet skis?

 

[Mainah]

There are lakes in Maine that do not allow jet skis, others that have hp limits, and some that allow boating and fishing but prohibit swimming and water sports (town drinking water source). In Maine associations have no legal authority over lake access or usage. However they have a powerful lobby with the municipalites and state that do.

 

[robbo3]

Might want to find out intentions of ordinance. My guess is this is place to keep jet skis off the lake during those times. Maybe suggest that speed limit stay in place for pwc, but boats larger than 19ft allowed up to 25mph. Maybe this would allow water sports for you but still keep speeds in check for everyone and still deter the lake from being overrun with jet skis?

I'm working with the town clerk to locate the history and intentions of it. It's been on the books since 1980 and we haven't had any luck yet on the purpose.

@Mainah - Same here - Ordinances need to come through the town, but they will pass what the lake association votes.

 

[bronze_10]

If it is a town ordinance it is enforceable by local law enforcement. .. if it is a completely privately owned lake and community then it would be more like a home owners association... they are worse to deal with around here... a few people with some authority and bang! Instant tyrants!

 

[Mainah]

The key argument I have seen used is public access to a natural resource. Yes lake property owners concerns should be addressed but they do not own the lake. That said a few bad apples can spoil it. It is not uncommon for day boaters to tow too close to shore or run their big block wot up and down the lake to their hearts content, not to mention some jetski operators doing things that put others at risk. We have great game wardens up here that advise boaters on what they are doing wrong and the impact it has on everyone else. Without them I fear it would get much worse.

 

[tdonoughue]

All politics is local.

It really doesn't matter much why they originally put the rule in place, unless those people who acted to put it in place are still around. I agree with the earlier comment that you need to find out what people think currently about the issue. If you get a big enough majority, you win...