GRDA Holds Final Hearing on Docks
GRDA held its final public hearing Tuesday at its Vinita headquarters on the possibility of changing rules regarding dock placements for private docks on Grand Lake and Lake Hudson.
Chaired by Mike Keifer, GRDA attorney, a half-dozen people spoke on the subject and when it was over there was general agreement that one rule could not work for the entire lake, and approvals should be given on a per case basis.
Current rules require docks to be limited to 125 feet from elevation 750 out in the water, or one-third of the distance from the adjacent shoreline to the nearest opposite shoreline, whichever distance is less. Most agreed that elimination of the 125 rule would be proper and would cut back on the number of waiver hearings.
And, most agreed that keeping the one-third rule would be necessary and proper.
Also considered was whether docks placed parallel to the shoreline would impact environmental or safety issues and again, this should be considered on a case by case basis.
"We can't write one rule for everyone," said Keifer.
Putting more emphasis on the GRDA compliance officers for dock approvals would speed up the process, several people suggested.
Rules for Commercial docks, those with more than 10 slips on a for-profit basis, were not discussed. These require both GRDA and FERC approvals.
Mike Brady, president of the Duck Creek Homeowners Association, brought a case of shoreline management plans from other lakes, pointing out that nine of the 11 lakes represented require footage and length restrictions on docks.
"Paris cove was ruined with the help of GRDA." He said the 125 foot/one third rule came about after Bomar's Marina built a breakwater in 1972 in what is now Arrowhead South cove, extending nearly across the cove entrance. The breakwater is still in place.
"We need enforcement of the rules we already have," he added.
Bill Goldner, developer of North Beach, said "we need to be flexible" and spoke in favor of eliminating the 125-foot rule and said being on Grand Lake was a privilege not taken lightly.
Chaired by Mike Keifer, GRDA attorney, a half-dozen people spoke on the subject and when it was over there was general agreement that one rule could not work for the entire lake, and approvals should be given on a per case basis.
Current rules require docks to be limited to 125 feet from elevation 750 out in the water, or one-third of the distance from the adjacent shoreline to the nearest opposite shoreline, whichever distance is less. Most agreed that elimination of the 125 rule would be proper and would cut back on the number of waiver hearings.
And, most agreed that keeping the one-third rule would be necessary and proper.
Also considered was whether docks placed parallel to the shoreline would impact environmental or safety issues and again, this should be considered on a case by case basis.
"We can't write one rule for everyone," said Keifer.
Putting more emphasis on the GRDA compliance officers for dock approvals would speed up the process, several people suggested.
Rules for Commercial docks, those with more than 10 slips on a for-profit basis, were not discussed. These require both GRDA and FERC approvals.
Mike Brady, president of the Duck Creek Homeowners Association, brought a case of shoreline management plans from other lakes, pointing out that nine of the 11 lakes represented require footage and length restrictions on docks.
"Paris cove was ruined with the help of GRDA." He said the 125 foot/one third rule came about after Bomar's Marina built a breakwater in 1972 in what is now Arrowhead South cove, extending nearly across the cove entrance. The breakwater is still in place.
"We need enforcement of the rules we already have," he added.
Bill Goldner, developer of North Beach, said "we need to be flexible" and spoke in favor of eliminating the 125-foot rule and said being on Grand Lake was a privilege not taken lightly.
posted by Editor | 1:24 AM
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