Residents question uptick in float plane traffic

SANDPOINT - Upscale waterfront development on the Pend Oreille is bringing with it more float plane traffic to shuttle in well-heeled real estate buyers.

Aside from an infamous incident at City Beach about 10 years ago, float planes have operated on Idaho's largest lake with few complaints.

But some landowners around the lake are questioning whether the planes should be regulated as flights become more frequent.

There are virtually no float plane regulations in Bonner County. The planes are considered boats when they're in the water, but once the take off, they become the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration, said Lt. Cary Kelly, supervisor of the Bonner County Sheriff's marine patrol.

"There's no restriction on the lake in Bonner County as to where, or when and how often they can operate. They pretty much have free reign," Kelly said.

The regulation question reached new heights when Pend Oreille Bonner Development began flying in people into Trestle Creek to view the company's properties.

Some landowners on Mount Eagen object to the noise of planes coming and going at Trestle Creek. Other landowners apparently have no problems with the planes.

Developer Chuck Reeves has said he worked with pilots and landowners to develop a takeoff and landing scheme at Trestle Creek which aims to minimize noise. But some contend the "gentleman's agreement" was never honored.

"Idaho Club has promised a protocol as long ago as last year, but to date has never complied," Jeanelle Shields said in an e-mail objecting to a marina Reeves is proposing at Trestle Creek.

Reeves, however, testified at a public hearing on the marina on Aug. 26 that he had e-mails from Shields which contradict the claim that the protocol isn't being observed.

On the Pend Oreille River, meanwhile, resident Mark Kubiak said there is a float plane using the river at Dover.

"It operates in the river, which is already a constricted waterway. Not only that, it makes a lot of noise," said Kubiak, who is concerned the river and the lake are being taken over by noisy boats and aircraft.

But Kelly does not believe there are enough float planes on the Pend Oreille to justify regulating them.

"There's just not enough of them - even on a busy weekend," said Kelly.

Kelly said there have been no reports of float planes conflicting with boats in the past decade. The last incident involved a large Albatross float plane which took off from City Beach and capsized sailboats being used by a sailing class.

The pilot was cited for negligent operation of a vessel.

"He tried to get out of the way, but he did it by gunning the engine and starting his takeoff roll while he was still in a no-wake zone and close to sailboats," said Kelly.

Kelly said float plane pilots can keep the nuisance factor down by amending their hours of operation and moving farther offshore before taking off. Kelly also suspects the developments luring in the float planes will have some influence on how the aircraft operate.

"Once they build the community and the put the condos in, they're going to be very sensitive to the complaints from the people that live there," he said.