Buoys are planned to fight wakes

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners are deploying another measure to combat damaging boat wakes on the Pend Oreille River.

The board unanimously agreed on Tuesday to seek permit approval from the Idaho Department of Lands to place 10 no-wake buoys in the river at strategic locations where wake zone scofflaws are prevalent. The placement of the buoys will be determined by the Bonner County sheriff’s Marine Patrol and can be shifted into other areas when problems arise.

“They’ll be moved around,” said Commissioner Dan McDonald.

The roving no-wake buoys were one of the boat wake countermeasures recommended by the Bonner County Waterways Advisory Board. They are being paid for by Rick Peterson, a motorized water sports enthusiast.

McDonald credited Peterson for stepping up and contributing to the solution of damaging boat wakes, which have harmed docks, shoreline and other infrastructure, particularly in the river.

“He put his money where his mouth is,” said McDonald.

The county recently doubled the cost of a no-wake violation from $75 to $150 and a added a $300 fine for a second offense. However, the commission sidestepped a recommendation to expand no-wake zone from 200 to 300 feet from shore, largely due to the cost of reprinting signs and local boating pamphlets.

The commission plans to enhance the Ride the Core/Avoid the Shore boater education campaign and is studying the concept of implementing a fix-it ticket where wake zone violators can waive a financial penalty in exchange for undergoing a boater education course.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.