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Noise, danger on water targeted

by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| April 20, 2018 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — Paul Hoskinson says noise is drowning out business at his lodge above the Kootenai County-maintained marina at Harrison.

"Our lodge and retail customers are not coming to Harrison on the weekends because they've been chased out by the rude behavior of a small percentage of people," the Lakeview Lodge owner told county commissioners.

"This doesn't just start at 10 at night or 10 in the morning. Last year was the worst year as it got out of hand every weekend. It's starting to get a different kind of user who has no consideration for other people ... and it can be life-threatening to ask them to quiet down."

To keep noise levels at a reasonable level at county-maintained marinas and to protect county-owned properties on the lake, three new laws are being considered, including:

- noise being at 88 decibels or below from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.;

- no side-tying of multiple boats at the end of docks at such facilities; and

- a limit of two boats tied to mooring buoys on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Nick Snyder, the county's Parks and Waterways director, said more traffic on the lakes and larger boats over the years has prompted the proposed changes.

"The majority of boaters in Kootenai County are incredibly respectful, but unfortunately one or two can change things," he said. "Our intent is to not restrict people from the lake. We want to provide public access, but there's more boaters now and the boats themselves have gotten larger."

He said at 88 decibels, boats still can come and go, conversations can continue and stereos can be played with reasonable volume, but not blaring.

"We want to have language in place so the sheriff's office can have discussions with folks about noise," said Snyder, adding that deputies use decibel meters. "Noise levels are certainly amplified across the water."

He said disturbing the peace ordinances can be ambiguous and this will make it more clear on noise.

Snyder said the proposal to not allow side-tying of multiple boats at the ends of docks is intended to preserve the county's facility.

"Pilings are intended to hold the dock in place and some boats are 30 to 60 feet, even up to 90," he said. "When it is side-tied to a dock itself, then there are others tied to that, you can imagine the weight at the end of those docks can and have caused damage to the docks."

Snyder said the county, for example, just spent $425,000 worth of improvements at Mowry Park northwest of Harrison, so protecting taxpayer facilities is important.

Limiting tying up to mooring buoys to two boats is also about protecting the public's property, he said. Last year the cost to replace one was $3,000 as a private marine contractor with a barge and crane had to be called upon.

There are nine mooring buoys on Lake Coeur d'Alene — three each in Beauty, Lofts and Aberdeen bays.

Snyder said hopefully the county in the future can obtain grants to upgrade the buoys to handle more boats.

The proposed laws will be considered by the Parks and Waterways Advisory Board on Tuesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at the search and rescue building on Ramsey Road before being forwarded with a recommendation to county commissioners.

The proposals pertain to county-maintained properties only, not to private or other public marinas, Snyder said.