Marina proposal lauded, rapped

SAGLE — A proposal to expand docks into a 39-slip marina at the Lodge at Sandpoint drew mixed reactions during a public hearing on Thursday.

Glen Harvey and Leslie Wood are seeking permit approval from the Idaho Department of Lands to enlarge the dock network to create more room for boaters visiting the lodge and the 41 South restaurant on the Pend Oreille River.

The expansion would result in 13 private boat slips, 13 public slips, seven public side-ties and six private side-ties, according to the application.

“We feel it’s a win-win for the community,” said Lance Lane of Laneco Marine, who represented the applicants during the hearing.

Lane emphasized that there would be little impact and big benefits with the expansion. There will be no dredging or shoreline armoring with rip-rap, and boaters would be prohibited from fueling vessels in the marina.

A mandatory pump-out station would discharge to an upland holding tank, which will be emptied and disposed of off-site. The additional slips will also provide better boater access to the restaurant and lodge, Lane added.

But concerns are still being harbored about the expansion.

Shannon Williamson, executive director of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, noted that the applicants relied upon on outdated state water quality report and said the project could lead to increased nutrient concentrations.

“This proposed project could result, obviously, in increased boat traffic and wave production which directly influences erosion, which can liberate phosphorus into the water,” Williamson said.

There is also concern that the added boat traffic will further spread aquatic noxious weeds, such as Eurasian milfoil and flowering rush.

The developers intend on putting in a new parking lot adjacent to the corner of U.S. Highway 95 and Lakeshore Drive, but neighbor Patricia Sterling said it will inundate an already clogged intersection.

“It’s going to be very, very dangerous,” said Sterling, adding that the lodge has been modified over the years with insufficient regulatory oversight.

Others countered that there already is a lot of boat traffic in the area and that the marina will effectively extend the county’s 200-foot no-wake zone farther into the river, which could reduce wave action and shoreline erosion.

“It will benefit far more people than it would harm,” said Steven Temple.

Sagle Fire District Chief Robert Webber said he is in talks with the developers about setting aside a slip for a fire-rescue boat the department hopes to eventually secure through grant funding. More than 50 miles of shoreline are within district bounds.

“The opportunity is tremendous for Sagle Fire,” he said.

Sid Anderson, IDL’s hearing officer, said he would take the permit request under advisement and issue a written decision within 30 days.