Night boaters, speed up
LOREN BENOIT/Press file Two boats navigate the Spokane River last summer. Kootenai County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to increase the night speed limit on waterways from 20 to 25 mph to reduce wakes and erosion and improve visibility for boaters.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
COEUR d'ALENE — Boaters on Kootenai County waterways are now allowed to drive slightly faster at night.
County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved increasing the nighttime speed limit from 20 to 25 mph in a move to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
Nick Snyder, the county's Parks and Waterways director, said many boaters at 20 mph couldn't "plane," a boating term referring to rising up and gliding on top of the water when enough power is applied.
"This (speed change) should help improve visibility," Snyder said.
The proposal didn't seem to cause a ripple effect, as no one spoke for or against it during the public hearing before the commissioners' vote.
The request was made by local citizen Tom Torgerson, an avid boater. It was unanimously recommended for approval by the county's Parks and Waterways Advisory Board before being sent on to county commissioners for consideration.
Torgerson, who said he has contemplated the proposal for a few years, said the change is not about the ability to go slightly faster at night, but allowing more drivers to have control and the ability to see what's in front of them.
Craig Brosenne, a member of the advisory board, said the change is needed, especially since more boats are larger at 23 to 27 feet these days.
He said some may wonder how increasing the speed limit will make it safer on the water, and it's due to the increased visibility.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, which patrols waterways, had no objections to the speed increase.
Commissioner Chris Fillios said he agrees with the change partially based on his 10 years of experience as a boater.
The daytime speed limit for boaters in Kootenai County remains 35 mph.
In other business, commissioners unanimously approved:
- $10,000 to pay the deductible for the cleanup of a 20-gallon fuel spill on an underground storage tank that occurred on Sept. 11 at the jail due to a faulty overfill protection device; and
- funds not to exceed $86,578 for engineering, surveying and permitting for a new hazardous materials facility at the Ramsey transfer station in Coeur d'Alene.
Shawn Riley, the county's building and grounds director, said the cost of the fuel cleanup will be at least $10,309 but the final tally hasn't been determined.
Cathy Mayer, solid waste director, said three old hazardous materials structures will be removed at the transfer station to make way for the new building. The project was included in the budget.