Lack of boating regulations on Echo Lake cost taxpayer money

We are very much in favor of responsible boating on Echo Lake. However, we are also very much against unrestricted boating at flood stage level that causes damage to private property, public infrastructure and widespread, significant erosion of the shoreline. And unfortunately that is what happened in the summer boating season of 2012.

In 2011 the water level at Echo Lake was the highest ever recorded and a no-wake restriction was placed on the lake. The water went up and then back down and no significant damage or erosion was reported. The water level in 2012, although lower that 2011, was also at a flood stage level. A no-wake restriction was not put in place during that season and the result by the end of summer was widespread damage and erosion.

Action is needed to implement measures that allow for reasonable, responsible boating during flood stage levels on Echo Lake. If not, further damage to private property, roads and boat launch areas, that are fixed at taxpayer expense, and erosion of the shoreline will continue.

Eugene and Susan Hutz,

Echo Lake