(Arnolds Park)– Over a hundred people attended a meeting Tuesday evening in Arnolds Park to hear a presentation from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on dock regulations. It stems from plans by a developer, Jim Nodland, to construct a series of docks on the south side of Lower Gar Lake.
Mike Smith of the Iowa Attorney General’s office is a lawyer for the D-N-R. He told the crowd he’s determined the operation, which would consist of a homeowner’s association, to be non-commercial…one of the criteria considered in whether or not a permit is required for a dock. Smith added the developer is looking at reducing the number of docks, after being told he would probably need permits for the 40 docks and 80 slips that had been originally proposed. Smith says by reducing the number, the developer will be able to put in the docks without having to obtain the special permits. As a result, he says the matter could very well be completely out of the hands of the D-N-R.
Discussion then turned to boat density and speed. Smith says trying to control those factors lies in the hands of local residents and governments. He says the D-N-R will NOT get solely involved in something like that.
