| USA. Georgia State House approves contentious lake boat ban |
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| Sunday, 19 March 2006 | |
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Duncan Neasham, NMMA: Discriminatory legislation aimed at prohibiting boats on Georgia public lakes has been introduced in the Georgia state legislature. The legislation would ban boats longer than 30 feet 6 inches on six lakes, including Lake Burton. The nation’s largest recreational marine trade association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), today decried the legislative proposal to exclude thousands from accessing waterways that were created to benefit the general public. “Who decides who can and cannot have access to public waters? An elite few who own lakefront property and want to make these public lakes their own country club waters?” said Monita Fontaine, Vice President of Government Relations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), advocating for the state’s boaters. “This is a classic exclusionary move which discriminates against boat owners and users, and would set a dangerous precedent of limiting boating access that could be extended around the state if passed.” House Bill 1490 was introduced by Representative Jon Burns (R-Newington), and bears a striking similarity to legislation that was introduced in the Alabama legislature at the behest of the Alabama Power Company. Both the Alabama Power Company and Georgia Power Company are regional utilities owned by the Southern Company that is responsible for 14 reservoirs throughout Georgia, including some 60,000 acres of lakes, 1,350 miles of shoreline and dozens of parks developed for family enjoyment. The bill was passed by the full House on March 13. While proponents cite erosion as a reason to restrict access to these lakes, the fact is that boat length is not the culprit. The wake from a 30 foot boat, which would be allowed on the lake under the proposed ban, and the wake from a 38 foot boat (which would be banned) have little difference. Most boats that would fall under the ban, like a houseboat or sailboat for example, create little wake already. Marine experts say that it is speed and proximity to shore that create wake, not the size of the boat. Sanitation concerns too are ambiguous as best. Vessels with on-board toilets provide a way for boaters to avoid polluting the waterway. Vessels, such as runabouts, ski boats and bass boats offer no such option. Enforcement of existing laws regarding reckless operation, or safe operational guidelines for certain conditions are a much more effective way to address concerns regarding speed and noise. Effective remedies also include establishing go-slow zones in areas prone to erosion, adequate enforcement of existing laws requiring no-wake speed when within 100 years of another boater, swimmer or shore; and stiff fines for improper disposal of human waste. A ban will not address the concerns of those who believe that the only solution is to block access to the lakes. “Selective bans on selective lakes are unfair and it opens the door to extending that ban to other, larger lakes and waterways,” Fontaine said. “These kinds of boat bans would hit the typical family boat user in Georgia who enjoy these wonderful lakes -- let alone the businesses and tourism industry which would suffer a huge impact. The list is endless of the people who would be hurt by the thoughtless capriciousness of this bill.” In fact, the impact of this bill would be economically negative to the many marinas and businesses around the lakes that cater to the boating populous, and to the many boat owners who would be effected by the ban. Almost 7,800 boats are currently registered in Georgia that would fall into the proposed ban’s category, many of them houseboats. These bans will have significant economic impact. In-state manufacturers such as Chaparral Boats and Yamaha marine engines depend upon the sale of boats above 30’6”, as do marine dealers throughout the state. Bans on length will have a chilling effect on sales, as consumers sense an anti-boating attitude from the state. While some may opt to buy small boats that do not meet the needs of their family, many more will simply turn away from boating all together. “People should ask themselves ‘what is the real purpose of this bill’? This bill seems to cater to the whims of lakefront homeowners and residential developers rather than the general public. We call on members of the Georgia Senate to be responsible to their constituents concerns and do the right thing by putting the brakes on this misguided legislation – don’t close off Georgia public waters to your boating constituents,” Fontaine said. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 March 2006 ) |
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