Board tables wake-zone plan

SANDPOINT — Bonner County’s Waterways Advisory Committee tabled a decision Thursday on a proposed no-wake zone at Garfield Bay to study its cost and potential configuration.

County officials estimated the five or six lighted buoys to delineate the no-wake zone would cost approximately $1,000 apiece, a sum which does not include installation and maintenance.

Establishing a no-wake zone at the bay in Lake Pend Oreille has been talked about for more than a decade and the campaign has gained momentum with an increase in activity in the bay.

“The bottom line is that it’s a safety issue,” said Dave Lee, a landowner and boater who is helping to lead the latest effort.

Proponents also contend a no-wake zone would reduce shoreline erosion and property damage caused by boat waves.

The proposal presented involves placing a handful of buoys across the bay about 100 feet south of Harbor Marina’s breakwater, leaving the southern half of the bay unrestricted.

The bay’s width was estimated to be about 700 yards, which left one committee member worried that it could become the standard for no-wake zone requests on the Pend Oreille River, which is only several hundred yards wide in places.

“What I don’t want to see is a precedent set,” said Todd Sudick.

But Sudick’s colleague on the committee, Kate Wilson, doubted that the wake zone at Garfield Bay would become the new yardstick for judging subsequent wake zone requests.

“I don’t think there’s any reason why we can’t be site-specific,” she said.

A petition asking residents at the bay what they thought about the proposal bore the names of 26 people who supported it and 15 who didn’t. Kevin Nye of the Garfield Bay Moorage Association said the majority of the 70 boaters who belong to the group also support the no-wake zone.

None of the opponents on the petition were present during the hearing, although boater Mark Linscott said its implementation would force novice waterskiers and people in the water helping them into the deeper, more open waters of the lake.

“I would rather (see it) remain status quo,” said Linscott.

Also suggested was realigning the wake zone so it bisects the bay lengthwise, which would put the wake zone along the eastern shore. But proponents questioned whether it would be as effective as the original proposal.

The committee voted to table the matter so options for paying for the buoys, including possible grant opportunities through the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.