HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1990-054iVHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 90 -182
•- Sheriff's Office
SUBJECT:
Mount
5/22/90 Council /Intro
6/1/90 PS /Council
Ordinance amending Water Safety and Boating Code and further addition for
safer boating on wt* county lakes.
ATTACHMENTS: County ordinance changes and additions - See attached
Summary statement
Cost of buoys (forthcoming)
Public Hearing Needed? Yes /_/ No //
SUMMARY STATEMENT. After a year of doing the boating safety program, it is found that
the 300 foot distance from shore, docks or floats is not a practical distance on some of our
lakes. I have recommended that the distance be put back to 150 feet. At a public meeting on
April 40, 1990, at Bloedel Donovan a majority of the people from Lake Whatcom felt more comfor-
able with 300 feet, but a number of people sated they would like 150 feet.
I would recommend 150 feet with the county buying buoys and doing an aggressive marking program.
I can live with a 300 foot exception for Lake Whatcom, with all other lakes 150 feet, if the 300
feet is from shore, not floats, docks and shore. Either way I feel the county should take all
the responsibility for putting out buoys which has been so graciously done by Mr. Lloyd Austin
through the years. (Continued on attachment).
RECOMMENDED ACTION. • Pass
COMMITTEE ACTION (including dates):
COUNCIL ACTION (including dates):
6 -26 -90 Adopted 7 -0
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number. 0 90 -54
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sheriff.ord INTRODUCED BY: Consent
AMENDED 6/26/90 PROPOSED BY: Sheriff
DATE: 5 -22 -90
ORDINANCE NO. 90 -54
AMENDING WATER SAFETY AND BOATING CODE
AND FURTHER ADDITION FOR SAFER BOATING
ON COUNTY LAKES
WHEREAS, the Sheriffs department has found it hard to enforce 300 feet
limits on some of the narrower lakes as it leaves only a narrow strip in the center of
the lake;
WHEREAS, a private citizen, Mr. Lloyd Austin has graciously through the
years put out buoys to separated the swimmers and boaters, and it is recommended
the County be responsible for this function.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council
that Whatcom County Code, Chapter 11, shall be amended as in Exhibit "A".
ADOPTED this 26th day of June, 1990.
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COi;?ffY, ,WASHINGTON
(+Approved () Denied
4 U. L -�
Shirley Van Za ten, ExZ7utive
Date: (,,21-7-5o
AMENDED EXHIBIT "A"
6/26/90 TO WHATCOM COUNTY ORDINANCE 90 -54
11.16.030 Speed Regulations.
2. Within ::: from shore on every
lake, except for Lake Whatcom where the distance shall be 300 feet (except when
necessary for a safe take off as defined in section 11.10.010 (c) six miles per hour;
11.20.010 Water Skiing.
C. Distance from shoreline. Except on safe takeoffs and safe landing,
watercraft (with) is person under tow on water skis, aquaplane, surf-
board, inner tube or a similar contrivance must keep three hurid
feet) t , or more from the dock, float, or shoreline
fl
"A'" A takeoff will not be considered "safe"
:..........
:.... . .
unless the person(s) under tow are heading away from the shore and the
takeoff can be accomplished without any risk to swimmers or watercraft.
The person(s) under tow, but not the watercraft, may come within one
hundred fifty feet of the shoreline when in the process of landing,
provided that the return to the shore must be at any angle of forty-five
degrees or more to the shoreline.
H. Pattern. All boats towing skiers shall go in a counter - clockwise pattern
(when- feasible). (Ord. dated 8/16/78 (part): prior code, sec. 5.04.100)
an::u.p�rrien
Exhibit A, Sheriff.Ord, Page 1 of 2
Exhibit A, Sheriff.Ord, Page 2 of 2