Agenda - Council - 05/09/1989 - Closed Executive Session and Regular

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asked that they adopt a resolution relating to establishing controls and limiting the wake from boats and further prohibiting water skiing on the Lower Rum River. At our regular monthly meeting on April 19, 1989, we were informed that both the Cities of Anoka and Andover have adopted a resolution recommending that the County adopt the proposed ordinance or draft an ordinance which will establish erosion controls and limit the wave action from boats and water skiing. The proposed ordinance also establishes quiet water areas in the various cities. Anoka has determined that it would like the Rum R~ver from its confluence with the Mississippi River upstream to the City of Anoka boundary to be considered quiet water. Andover h~s taken the same position as it relates to the river adjacent to its City boundaries. We are informed by the Ramsey representative, Mr. Pete Raatikka, that your Council has in effect adjourned the hearing and asked for some additional information from your staff. Mr. Raatikka also indicated there was some opposition to placing controls on the river use. The Commission reviewed and discussed the minutes of the meetings held by all of the communities and the various comments raised by the residents and abutting property owners. We are sensitive to the fact that some people would like to continue to water ski and/or operate power boats at higher speeds along the river, but on balance we have real concerns for this scenic river. The Commission feels that the river needs to be protected and people who are canoeing, swimming, fishing, and making a more passive use of the river are being adversely affected. We believe the operation of larger boats is having an adverse effect on the banks of the river. We recognize that the natural water flow and the other erosion problems which go with nature are not under our control, but the Commission feels that we should take preventative steps wherever we can to help preserve the river. The Commission is concerned for the safety of the people who do make a more passive use of the river~ and there are a number of objections to water skiing and/or jet skiing on the river.,- and we are hoping that these activities could be prohibited. We recognize that the ordinance we have prepared does not have an accurate description of minimum wake and/or of quiet water, but basically the format is drawn from what is used in similar areas for other lakes and rivers in the metropolitan area. it is a tool to allow the County Water Patrol to prohibit certain activities and to stop behavior which is doing permanent damage to the shoreline and to the river. We are further aware that once we transmit to the County Board our recommendations, they will undoubtedly have it reviewed by the County Attorney and by their envirornmental people as well as the County Water Patrol, who will have the enforcement responsibility. They may at that time have some suggestions or make some changes which will make the ordinance clearer and more enforceable. We have ended up where we are because we did not want to put in a size limitation on motors, since a number of people use larger motors on their pontoons and they are using the river in a very responsible and safe