Personal Watercraft Ban Urged on
Skaneateles Lake
Board members suggest more boat patrols to ease noise, safety problems.
By Sara Errington, reprinted from The Post-Standard/Neighbors West,
2/27/03
Skaneateles resident Harry Goetzmann urged town board members to ban personal watercraft
on Skaneateles Lake or face political pressure from the 1,250 residents who signed a petition
last summer.
"We want to effectively ban the use of watercraft on those portions of the lake that are less than
3,000 feet across," he said at the Feb. 20 town board meeting.
"The continued noise, the continued harassment in the use of these personal watercraft on the lake
is very aggravating. I personally would say we're probably on our way to becoming the 'little Lake George'
of Central New York," he said.
Pavlus said he and board members are committed to trying to reduce noise and safety problems on the
lake with increased boat patrols. Pavlus asked board members to share their opinions, and each spoke
in favor of patrols.
Councilor David Laxton said his experience is that the waterskiers and large boats are the biggest threats to safety
and make the most noise.
"I think if you enforce all the laws it sure would help correct the situation," Laxton said.
The county sheriff's department, the Dept. of Environmental Conservation and the sate Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation want to be involved in the enforcement effort.
Boats used by the park's police and sheriffs would be equipped with decibel meters to determine if watercraft
exceed the 120-decibel limit.
Informational meetings would be set up to explain navigation laws to the public.
An amnesty program would give boaters a chance to ask officers to look over their boats or equipment
for violations.
Goetzmann said that the board ignores the wishes of 1,250 voters at the risk of losing office.
Councilor Ted Murdick urged patience.
"I think if you listen to the board members, the majority of us feel that we want to try these increased patrols. We feel that may be the answer to the problem. If it's not... then we would look at it again."
back to Joe's Editorial
Editor's note: The
Borodino Bullett ran a poll last summer for readers to vote
online either "for" or "against" the
proposed ban of personal watercraft on Skaneateles Lake. I am not a
jet ski (pwc) rider myself, but I can tell you that the feedback from
the poll was overwhelmingly in favor of NOT banning them.
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