No more powerplant

[Chopper]

Thanks to local jackasses there is a new ordinace that forbids the use of motors on Lake Columbia. What a joke. I guess we all will need to wait until the regular lakes and rivers have lost the 4' of ice on them before we can ride this year. We all knew this was coming, but now it is reality.

The information source is Ben, a racer that lives 5 minutes from the lake, he said that signs have also been posted. Gay!

The hottub is done[xx(]

[fox river pwc]

I found a local ordinance last year that was passed in the 1970s that forbid motors on Lake Columbia - with the exception of boats used for maintenance by the power plant itself. It would seem that the ordinance was always there, but it was never enforced in the past.

Ask Ben to take a pic of one of the signs and post it, or e-mail it, please. I'd like to see if they're citing the old ordinance, or if this is a new one, and any other details.

[fox river pwc]

Just found it again, notice the date:
http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/0/Community/dekorra/ord/Chapter4.pdf

CHAPTER 4
PUBLIC SAFETY
SECTION 4.01 BOATING REGULATIONS
(a) Columbia Lake.
(1) The purpose of this Ordinance is to protect the public health, safety and
welfare.
(2) The use of any motor powered boat on Columbia Lake is prohibited except
as authorized in Subsection (a)(3) of this Ordinance.
(3) Wisconsin Power and Light Company has certain obligations to maintain
Columbia Lake and is authorized to use said lake in conjunction with the
operation of its power plant adjacent to the lake. This Ordinance shall not
restrict said corporation or its authorized agents from using motor powered
boats on Columbia Lake in the performance of its maintenance obligations,
or in conjunction with its operation of such power plant.
(4) Each and every provision of this Ordinance is deemed and hereby declared
to be severable from each and every other provision and if, for any reason,
any provision of this Ordinance is declared to be invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions shall remain in full
force and effect the same as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had
never been enacted.
(b) Penalty. Any person violating this Ordinance shall be subject to the penalties set
forth in Section 1.03 of this Code.
History Note: Ordinance No. 22, adopted July 13, 1971, confirmed in Ordinance No. 22A, adopted June 12, 1973;
Ordinance No. 21, adopted through codification. Amended December 14, 2004 Ordinance No. 12-2004.

[Chopper]

This is the ordinace: http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/24/Ordinances/Chapter4.pdf

I have looked through the town board meeting minutes and although there is no direct details on the signs in the minutes there is the statment under the saftey committee that states: "Signs installed a Lake Columbia" Here is the link: http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/24/TownMinutes/minutes9-9-08.pdf

After further investigation there was other talk of this at the meeting on April 8th 2008 " Lake Columbia Sign. Delay action pending further research with Plant Manager from Alliant Energy regarding
ownership etc. If all is okay with placement of sign, Leckwee motion to go with the reflective style, second by
Schmidt, MC." Here is the link: http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/24/TownMinutes/minutes04-08-08.pdf

This is a done deal which pisses me off since that is my favorite time of the year... Warm water and racing.

[Chopper]

That also mean that electic motors are done also. So they have effectivly banned all use of motors. Or are at least made it enforceable since it is now posted.

[Chopper]

Here are the fines: 4.01(b) Boating violations 50.00/100.00/200.00

And here are the enforceing officials: Boating regulations Columbia County Sheriff; Town Supervisors;
Town Constable

[JB]

Booooooooooo

[Chopper]

I have a photo of this sign thanks to Ski Racer Ben, but I cannot figure out how to upload it... Basically unless you turn your ski into an electric one, the Powerplant is a done deal..

[Chopper]

I updated the links above since they were changed for some reason.

[Chopper]

I updated the links above since they were changed for some reason.

[fox river pwc]

Apparently, a group of 5 riders from the fox valley (including some GLW racers) drove all the way to the hot tub yesterday to do some riding - and were unaware of the "closure". No worries though, it seems that the local fishermen were happy to inform them of the now-enforced ordinance and their wasted trip...

[fox river pwc]

Apparently, a group of 5 riders from the fox valley (including some GLW racers) drove all the way to the hot tub yesterday to do some riding - and were unaware of the "closure". No worries though, it seems that the local fishermen were happy to inform them of the now-enforced ordinance and their wasted trip...

[fox river pwc]

Apparently, a group of 5 riders from the fox valley (including some GLW racers) drove all the way to the hot tub yesterday to do some riding - and were unaware of the "closure". No worries though, it seems that the local fishermen were happy to inform them of the now-enforced ordinance and their wasted trip...

[fox river pwc]

Apparently, a group of 5 riders from the fox valley (including some GLW racers) drove all the way to the hot tub yesterday to do some riding - and were unaware of the "closure". No worries though, it seems that the local fishermen were happy to inform them of the now-enforced ordinance and their wasted trip...

[Chopper]

I hate to say I told you so... Ben grew up less than a mile from there and has gotten nothing but resistance when trying to talk to local officals about some sort of resilution for this.

To be honest not being able to practice and train legally anywhere is the BIGGEST issue this sport faces. It is most likely going to be the deal breaker for me. Who can justify spending the time and money it takes to be competitive in this sport when the only time you can actually practice is at the races...

[Chopper]

I hate to say I told you so... Ben grew up less than a mile from there and has gotten nothing but resistance when trying to talk to local officals about some sort of resilution for this.

To be honest not being able to practice and train legally anywhere is the BIGGEST issue this sport faces. It is most likely going to be the deal breaker for me. Who can justify spending the time and money it takes to be competitive in this sport when the only time you can actually practice is at the races...

[joe563]

arent they on the forum??????they would have saved some cash if they would just open there eyes... oh well

[joe563]

arent they on the forum??????they would have saved some cash if they would just open there eyes... oh well

[fox river pwc]

I don't think they post in here, but one of them, pete geerts(sp?) is a regular on pwc today - where josh clearly posted about the hot tub closing. Oh well, they're kids so they don't listen ;) - you already know what I'm talkin' about, joe, and it only gets worse as they age. I swear I wonder at least once every week if my sons are friggin' deaf or not...

[fox river pwc]

I don't think they post in here, but one of them, pete geerts(sp?) is a regular on pwc today - where josh clearly posted about the hot tub closing. Oh well, they're kids so they don't listen ;) - you already know what I'm talkin' about, joe, and it only gets worse as they age. I swear I wonder at least once every week if my sons are friggin' deaf or not...

[joe563]

good times for me right now i guess,first 10 years???? or more???

[joe563]

good times for me right now i guess,first 10 years???? or more???