(Des Moines)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is still submerged in a debate over rules that have governed docks on Iowa’s lakes and streams.
The D-N-R wants to increase fees for people who make money on the state’s waterways, such as marinas, while sparing most homeowners from having to pay for a standard dock.
This has upset marina owners, who are threatening to sue the state for each small-boat slip and four-dollars for bigger ones.
Under the new rules, in general, marinas would pay 50-dollars per slip. The marinas typically charge 25-hundred to ten-thousand dollars for many of those slips.
The final proposal is expected by the end of the month. If approved, the new rules would take effect in February.
Public meetings on the proposed rules were held last month in Spirit Lake and Clear Lake. An additional meeting is now planned for 8:30 a.m. this Thursday (Sept. 21st) at the Loess Hills State Forest Visitors Center in Pisgah. Public participation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
