(Arnolds Park)– Atleast one lakes area protective association says the 600 foot no wake rule recently implemented on the Iowa Great Lakes isn’t doing enough to stop shoreline erosion.
In a letter to Dickinson County Emergency Management, Bill Maas, President of the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation, says that organization’s board voted earlier this week to recommend the 600 foot no wake rule be rescinded and replaced with a complete no wake, or five mph zone on East Lake Okoboji and its chain of lakes.
The letter encourages officials to visit a number of locations around the lakes that have been impacted by shoreline erosion.
In the letter, Maas states that “wind damage is one issue, but the constant pounding of water upon our shorelines from the wakes of boats is adding to Mother Nature’s damages.”
The letter also states that enforcing the rule has become an issue due to staff shortages with the Lakes Patrol and the fact the some 60 miles of shoreline needs to be patrolled and protected.
The Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission has now scheduled a special meeting for 2:30 p.m. Friday (July 22nd) in the Community Room at the courthouse to discuss and take possible action on a no-wake designation for East Lake Okoboji.
