(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission this (Fri.) afternoon took no action on a request to recommend the 600 foot no wake rule that’s currently in effect on all Dickinson county lakes be replaced with a total no-wake designation on just East Lake Okoboji and the lower chain of lakes.
The East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation requested the commission take the action. A homeowner on West Lake Okoboji requested the board take similar action for that lake.
But Sheriff Greg Baloun, who was serving as co-chair of the Emergency Management Board in the absence of Chairman David Gottsche, questioned that board’s continued involvement in the issue. Baloun said in his opinion, the board did what was requested of it at the time it voted to recommend the DNR put the 600 foot designation into effect. He says a true emergency existed at that time. Since then, he says the levels have dropped and as of right now an emergency situation no longer exists. He added “It’s my opinion you are talking to the wrong board.”
That didn’t sit well with one West Lake Okoboji resident who feels an emergency situation still exists on the lakes, adding “anything short of putting a no-wake zone out there represents an emergency and mal-feasance on your part.”
Mike Hawkins of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said it’s up to lakeshore property owners to make sure they’re taking proper action to protect the shoreline that’s above the ordinary high water mark, as they own that land. Hawkins added “I know this is tough to hear when you’re being affected by this, but it is a responsibility that lakeshore owners do have is to make shore that private property is not impacting the public water bodies.”
Hawkins added the DNR is expediting the permitting processes for those that need to do such work.
Gary Owen, an Enforcement Officer for the DNR, told the crowd enforcing the 600 foot no wake has been a challenge due to a lack of lake patrol officers stemming from budget cuts. He says they have since been granted funds for four additional officers, which came on staff today (Fri.) but are currently being trained. In addition, Owen said volunteers are at ramps again this weekend informing boaters of the 600 foot no wake rule that remains in effect on all Dickinson county lakes. Signs are also being posted and informational brochures are being distributed to lakes area resorts, bait shops and convenience stores.
Most lakes area business owners, chambers of commerce and resort owners say implementing a no wake would have disastrous economic impacts on the area.
