Nighttime boat speed limit proposed to increase

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — A proposal to increase the nighttime speed limit on Kootenai County waterways from 20 to 25 mph is moving full speed ahead.

"It should help reduce large wakes and improve visibility for those boaters who cannot plane at the current 20 mph speed limit," said Nick Snyder, director of the county's Parks and Waterways Department.

Planing is a boating term referring to rising up and gliding on top of the water when enough power is applied.

The resolution proposed by local citizen Tom Torgerson, an avid boater, was unanimously recommended for approval by the county's Parks and Waterways Advisory Board and will head to a public hearing held by county commissioners on a date to be determined, likely in January.

"The rationale as presented by concerned residents is that it's easier for a vessel to rise to plane at a slightly faster speed, thereby improving visibility and lowering the probability of an accident," Commissioner Chris Fillios said. "Having been a boater for about 10 years, I tend to agree. More importantly, our sheriff and Marine Division agree."

Dennis Stinebaugh, Kootenai County Sheriff's Office spokesman, said his department is open to the idea.

"We don't oppose it at all," he said, adding that it's the agency's job to enforce the law and not make them.

Torgerson said he's been contemplating the proposal for a few years.

"It has nothing to do with going faster," he said. "It has to do with the larger-sized boats on the lake. The nose of bigger boats can't be held down at 20 mph.

"It's about control and focusing on the water in front of you as opposed to being hyper-focused on not going 3 or 4 mph over the speed limit. That's truly my only motivation for bringing this up."

Craig Brosenne, a member of the advisory board, agrees the proposed change is the right direction.

"Years ago, most boats were 18 to 20 feet," he said. "Now most are 23 to 27 feet. The extra 5 mph will allow those boats to come on plane. Some people may wonder why we'd increase the speed at night, but it will actually be safer (due to increased visibility)."

Torgerson said he's optimistic the change will be approved because there hasn't been any pushback from marine deputies he's spoken to.