(Des Moines)– A proposed ban on booze on lakes area state park beaches over the Fourth of July holiday period was voted down today (Thurs.) by the Iowa Natural Resource Commission.
Commissioners voted four to three against the proposed ban that would have affected six beaches.
Those who voted against the ban said there should have been more time for public comment on the issue. They also were concerned the crackdown could fly in the face of trying keep young people in Iowa.
Officers were pushing for the ban, citing two to three thousand beach-goers during the holiday and associated problems with nudity, fights and pollution.
To deal with the issue, park rangers say they’ll bring in a six-member tactical unit from the Iowa State Patrol to keep order this Fourth of July.
Commissioners did approve a rulemaking that could result in an alcohol ban being implemented next year.
