Stearns County has scheduled a public hearing to gather input on whether or not to adopt no-wake zones on its lakes, where rising water and speeding boats are adding to flooding and eroding shorelines.
In response to a request from the Wright County Commission that it adopt an emergency no-wake ordinance on border lakes – those that straddle the two counties’ borders – the Stearns board scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 16 to gather input from lake residents, resort and bait shop owners, and those who use the waters for recreation.
Wright County Commissioner Rose Thelen asked Stearns officials last week to enact an ordinance that would extend a no-wake zone on seven border lakes until Oct. 1 or until the water level drops to 6 inches above the DNR-established high water mark for seven days.
Wright County recently passed such an ordinance at the request of numerous lake associations and organizations. It was in effect last weekend and Sheriff Joe Hagerty reported the rule is working well.
"We had few complaints, surprisingly, from residents on the lakes," he said. "We’re also focusing on educating the public about the issue, mostly through lake associations and other venues. It’s going well, but it’s a work in progress."
In her request, Thelen told the Stearns County board that a problem is the fact Wright County cannot do any real enforcement of the ordinance on border lakes without a parallel ordinance from Stearns County.
"Many people are trying to protect their shoreline, but it’s encroaching on a lot of homes. What we’re finding is the overuse of watercraft and the large wakes are adding insult to injury, and we’ve got a lot of damage on the affected lakes."
Thelen added her board will probably approach Stearns County again when it has developed a long-range solution, something she hopes will be in place by next summer.
Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner said his department has posted signs at area lakes urging people to voluntarily slow down and avoid creating wakes.
"We didn’t go with a long-term ordinance because it’s difficult to legislate common sense, and that’s a little bit what we’re talking about here," he said.
"The signs seem to be helping educate people. It’s less cumbersome than a full-blown ordinance and just as effective."