RACE: Questions to consider

This letter is about the jet boat race proposed for the lower 30 miles of the Coeur d’Alene River in May. Some will favor it and some will not. It will be fun for some and bring dollars to others. Entertainment and economics are important, but so are other considerations.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is the permitting authority and is rightly focused on law enforcement. However, other agencies seem to lack the interest, authority or both to become involved even though this event will affect far more than law enforcement. The decision to approve the permit needs to consider many other concerns and then evaluate them objectively. Some examples:

• Millions of dollars are being spent to clean up dangerous heavy metals in this area. The river bottom and banks are contaminated. Spectators can be expected to line the shore and any soil dislodged by boats will wash downstream to the lake. How important is it to protect the lake and the public?

• Wildlife may not enjoy the show nearly as much as humans do. People who ride the adjacent bike trail have always been admonished to be especially quiet near nesting eagles. Will these boats also be quiet in those areas?

• How many one-way boat trips will be made during this event?

• How will private property be protected from trespassers?

• Will this small group of race enthusiasts be granted monopoly use of the river while other boaters are excluded?

• Is noise an impact worth considering?

• Should public opinion be considered?

• What will be the cost to local emergency-service providers?

These questions are raised here because it seems they are not being raised by others. The public deserves to know just how these and other concerns will be considered by the responsible officials and how approval or denial will be decided. Once approved, it is likely this event will become routine, as it has on other rivers.

JOHN McFADDIN

Cataldo