(Milford)– Siting the explosion in development taking place on the shores of the Iowa Great Lakes, two local lawmakers say it’s time to pursue legislation that would allow for the establishment of “port authority”.
State Representative Mike May of Spirit Lake says having that designation would put more of a say on lake-related issues in the hands of local officials…instead of having to go to the Department of Natural Resources for issues such as docks, boat hoists, and so on.
State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan feels the concept for “port authority” designation will catch on in other lake communities in Iowa. Johnson says they’ll also be faced with issues similar to those the Iowa Great Lakes area is already facing.
The issue of “port authority” surfaced during a legislative forum May and Johnson hosted Saturday in Milford.
An audience member told lawmakers dock and boat hoist owners should pay a fee to the state for the privilige of having them in the lakes. It was likened to paying a fee to camp in a state-owned campground.
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