County aims to keep Fourth under control
SAGLE — "The Fourth of July event has gotten out of control. It's a pubic safety nightmare," said Steve Klatt, director of waterways, parks and recreation for Bonner County.
Fourth of July celebrations are plentiful along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, but sometimes the combination of large groups of people, hot weather and fireworks is volatile. Add in the over-consumption of alcohol, and the results can be disastrous, he said.
That kind of outcome is precisely what Klatt is working to avoid this year. Specifically, public safety concerns about the annual Independence Day activities in Garfield Bay have prompted him to spearhead changes designed to keep congestion in the area at a minimum.
Bonner County maintains the Garfield Bay Recreation Area, which includes a boat launch, a free day-use picnic area, a stretch of beach and 28 pay-per-use campsites. Klatt's department is responsible for oversight of the state-owned area by license of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The principal problem is overcrowding, Klatt said. Although the community does not actively advertise the celebration, which takes place on the Saturday of the Fourth of July weekend every year, word of mouth has caused it to outgrow its roots as a small, community-centered holiday, according to local residents.
Klatt wants celebrants to be aware of a new ordinance Bonner County has established to address congestion problems at Garfield Bay.
The code prohibits any overnight camping in the day-use area, which encompasses the picnic grounds, boat launch, beach, docks, jetty, lake and parking lot. Anyone planning to spend the night of the event in an RV, tent, boat, car, truck or trailer must use the campgrounds or go elsewhere. Additionally, no one should leave personal belongings in the day-use area overnight. The code defines personal belongings as chairs, coolers, lounges, barbecues, towels, sunshades, canopies and any other items people bring with them to the lake.
Parking this year will be limited to specific sections, and the county will have vehicles in violation towed away. According to Klatt, parking along the south shore right-of-way is legal while parking along the north, or upland, right of way is prohibited, and vehicles left in posted no-parking zones are subject to impoundment. Boat owners cannot moor their crafts at the public dock nor leave them unattended, according to the ordinance.
The code mandates that dogs be leashed and owners pick up after them. Shooting firearms and making open fires in non-designated spots are prohibited. No vending is allowed in the recreation area without prior approval.
The community of Garfield Bay funds a professional fireworks display on Saturday evening, making it unnecessary for visitors to bring their own. The danger of wildfire is always a concern. A sheriff's patrol will be on hand in the evening to help enforce the new Bonner County regulations, Klatt said.