Potential Banning on Lake Austin

[SKYHI]

Thought this was worth sharing.......

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/a...to-lake-austin



Anyone who enjoyes Lake Austin needs to show and be heard this coming Monday @ The Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

The Water Sports Alert Network (WSAN) is your ALERT system to let you know what is going on in your area that could affect your use of the public waterways for the use of watersports. This network comes to you via courtesy of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Please forward this document to your friends and lake property owners that currently enjoy watersports on Lake Austin. It may be the most important information you share.

WHO: Wakeboarders, Wakeskaters, Wakesurfers, and all power boat enthusiasts.

WHAT: Prohibiting devices that are designed to increase the wake of a watercraft; Limiting the quantity or type of watercraft allowed on Lake Austin; Limit activity allowed in particular areas or during days and times.

WHERE: Town Lake Center Building (Austin Energy)
721 Barton Springs Road, Room #130
(across from the Palmer Events Center, right at the blinking crosswalk)

WHEN: Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

WHY: Austin City Council has appointed a special task force to study possible ordinances that would limit activities and power boating on Lake Austin. Specifically this task force was formed to suggest options to improve water quality and reduce erosion on the lake. Options could include banning ballasts on wakeboarding boats, limiting when power boats could operate, limiting the type of boats that are allowed on the lake, and limiting where specific activities could be allowed. This initiative is being driven due to complaints from a select few vocal lakefront owners and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.
The subject of restricting access to our waterways has become a constant threat to the water sports we all love. Shore erosion and property damage is the battle cry. To date there is no study to support any shore erosion directly related to a boat’s wakes. Unfortunately most of these accusations are fueled by emotion. It is known that Mother Nature does far more damage to shore lines and property than boats. However, if you use that analogy, government will tell you they cannot stop Mother Nature, but they can stop wakeboarding or wakesurfing. Most agencies that govern water bodies will use a distance from shore or fixed objects as the proper means to reduce the size of a wake as it hits the shore. The distance is normally 100 to 200 feet. To suggest that the fix for Lake Austin is to ban an activity is not only ridiculous, but can cause damage to the Austin economy, a drastic reduction in lakefront property values and a loss of our freedom to enjoy this public waterway. It is the economic impact of such decisions that will become our strongest argument against any sanctions against recreational boating.

[Nobody]

Thought this was worth sharing.......

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/a...to-lake-austin



Anyone who enjoyes Lake Austin needs to show and be heard this coming Monday @ The Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

The Water Sports Alert Network (WSAN) is your ALERT system to let you know what is going on in your area that could affect your use of the public waterways for the use of watersports. This network comes to you via courtesy of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Please forward this document to your friends and lake property owners that currently enjoy watersports on Lake Austin. It may be the most important information you share.

WHO: Wakeboarders, Wakeskaters, Wakesurfers, and all power boat enthusiasts.

WHAT: Prohibiting devices that are designed to increase the wake of a watercraft; Limiting the quantity or type of watercraft allowed on Lake Austin; Limit activity allowed in particular areas or during days and times.

WHERE: Town Lake Center Building (Austin Energy)
721 Barton Springs Road, Room #130
(across from the Palmer Events Center, right at the blinking crosswalk)

WHEN: Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

WHY: Austin City Council has appointed a special task force to study possible ordinances that would limit activities and power boating on Lake Austin. Specifically this task force was formed to suggest options to improve water quality and reduce erosion on the lake. Options could include banning ballasts on wakeboarding boats, limiting when power boats could operate, limiting the type of boats that are allowed on the lake, and limiting where specific activities could be allowed. This initiative is being driven due to complaints from a select few vocal lakefront owners and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.
The subject of restricting access to our waterways has become a constant threat to the water sports we all love. Shore erosion and property damage is the battle cry. To date there is no study to support any shore erosion directly related to a boat’s wakes. Unfortunately most of these accusations are fueled by emotion. It is known that Mother Nature does far more damage to shore lines and property than boats. However, if you use that analogy, government will tell you they cannot stop Mother Nature, but they can stop wakeboarding or wakesurfing. Most agencies that govern water bodies will use a distance from shore or fixed objects as the proper means to reduce the size of a wake as it hits the shore. The distance is normally 100 to 200 feet. To suggest that the fix for Lake Austin is to ban an activity is not only ridiculous, but can cause damage to the Austin economy, a drastic reduction in lakefront property values and a loss of our freedom to enjoy this public waterway. It is the economic impact of such decisions that will become our strongest argument against any sanctions against recreational boating.

Oooh Man! This doesn't look good for wake boats. Best of luck.

[skippabcool]

Thought this was worth sharing.......

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/a...to-lake-austin



Anyone who enjoyes Lake Austin needs to show and be heard this coming Monday @ The Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

The Water Sports Alert Network (WSAN) is your ALERT system to let you know what is going on in your area that could affect your use of the public waterways for the use of watersports. This network comes to you via courtesy of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Please forward this document to your friends and lake property owners that currently enjoy watersports on Lake Austin. It may be the most important information you share.

WHO: Wakeboarders, Wakeskaters, Wakesurfers, and all power boat enthusiasts.

WHAT: Prohibiting devices that are designed to increase the wake of a watercraft; Limiting the quantity or type of watercraft allowed on Lake Austin; Limit activity allowed in particular areas or during days and times.

WHERE: Town Lake Center Building (Austin Energy)
721 Barton Springs Road, Room #130
(across from the Palmer Events Center, right at the blinking crosswalk)

WHEN: Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

WHY: Austin City Council has appointed a special task force to study possible ordinances that would limit activities and power boating on Lake Austin. Specifically this task force was formed to suggest options to improve water quality and reduce erosion on the lake. Options could include banning ballasts on wakeboarding boats, limiting when power boats could operate, limiting the type of boats that are allowed on the lake, and limiting where specific activities could be allowed. This initiative is being driven due to complaints from a select few vocal lakefront owners and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.
The subject of restricting access to our waterways has become a constant threat to the water sports we all love. Shore erosion and property damage is the battle cry. To date there is no study to support any shore erosion directly related to a boat’s wakes. Unfortunately most of these accusations are fueled by emotion. It is known that Mother Nature does far more damage to shore lines and property than boats. However, if you use that analogy, government will tell you they cannot stop Mother Nature, but they can stop wakeboarding or wakesurfing. Most agencies that govern water bodies will use a distance from shore or fixed objects as the proper means to reduce the size of a wake as it hits the shore. The distance is normally 100 to 200 feet. To suggest that the fix for Lake Austin is to ban an activity is not only ridiculous, but can cause damage to the Austin economy, a drastic reduction in lakefront property values and a loss of our freedom to enjoy this public waterway. It is the economic impact of such decisions that will become our strongest argument against any sanctions against recreational boating.

Oooh Man! This doesn't look good for wake boats. Best of luck.

This is what you stand for nobody.


Back on topic, it is too bad that this is happening.

[WakerideN]

skip? I am confused.. I get that "nobody" is often off in left field.. but really came up with the same thing when I read what was posted.

I think this has been done in other places, well the attempt, but I think in the end its not about boats causing shore erosion, because wind and storms do more damage on that end. but just the lake being rough all the time.

[SKYHI]

This is what you stand for nobody.


Back on topic, it is too bad that this is happening.

There was an attempt to do this in 2010 with no luck. Fortunately we have Lake Travis around the corner if this miraculously passes.

skip? I am confused.. I get that "nobody" is often off in left field.. but really came up with the same thing when I read what was posted.

I think this has been done in other places, well the attempt, but I think in the end its not about boats causing shore erosion, because wind and storms do more damage on that end. but just the lake being rough all the time.

You are correct, it has absolutely nothing to do with the erosion. This is obviously their way of trying to play good guy and get this thing pushed through.

I will be at the meeting this evening so sure to keep you guys posted.

[Nobody]

This is what you stand for nobody.


Back on topic, it is too bad that this is happening.

Screw you Skippa, I was expressing my sincere regards for what the poster has to deal with.

[jwanck11]

This initiative is being driven due to complaints from a select few vocal lakefront owners and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.

It is probably best to think through this from their perspective (seek to understand what is really behind the complaints) and look for reasonable solutions everyone can buy into.

[skippabcool]

My point was that the Parks and Rec is involved, a government entity, where they are essentially taking from some to supposedly benefit everyone.

My bad for offending anyone.

I do find it interesting that Nobody can "screw" with people on here yet can't take it. Thanks for the PM Nobody. I will not say the same back to you.

[Nobody]

My point was that the Parks and Rec is involved, a government entity, where they are essentially taking from some to supposedly benefit everyone.

My bad for offending anyone.

I do find it interesting that Nobody can "screw" with people on here yet can't take it. Thanks for the PM Nobody. I will not say the same back to you.

Grow up Skippa!!!!
The poster has to deal with government bureaucracy.
Not fun or funny.

[talltigeguy]

There is a long discussion about this sort of thing on another site.

I think the erosion is actually being used as a tool to get wakeboarders off of the lake. Sort of like the endangered species act is used by enviros to get everyone out of the forest. Wakeboarders are generally considered to be loud, inconsiderate and they often come too close to people's docks and boat lifts.

There is a 17 mile stretch of the Willamette river in Oregon that has this exact ban in place. And that is on a river that routinely rises and falls 40 feet throughout the year. To think that erosion is the issue there is preposterous.

[jwanck11]

So, instead of getting to that point, it might make sense to start looking at and offering concessions e.g., limit the window of time in the day for wakeboarding, agreeding to a minimum distance to shore, ban on loud music before and after times, etc.

I would think watersports people would rather agree to some or all rather than lose the priviledge entirely.

[Ewok]

I call :BS:

It's only a priviledge to loose if it's a private lake, if it's a public lake then there has to be substantial proof that wakesports do damage to the reason the lake was formed, since it is a man-made lake. This is from the Lower Colorado River Authority website, they are the ones who built and maintain the dam which allows Lake Austin to exist, the lake front homeowners did not build the dam or the lake:

LCRA is a conservation and reclamation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. (See The LCRA Enabling Legislation.) It has no taxing authority and operates solely on utility revenues and fees generated from supplying energy, water and community services.

LCRA supplies low-cost electricity for Central Texas, manages water supplies and floods in the lower Colorado River basin, develops water and wastewater utilities, provides public parks, and supports community and economic development in 58 Texas counties.

[artvandelay]

Terrible precedent to allow

I'd think a dozen active Watersport Enthusiasts, and the businesses who profit from the activity should be enough to trump the "vocal minority"

Good luck out there!

Thought this was worth sharing.......

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/a...to-lake-austin



Anyone who enjoyes Lake Austin needs to show and be heard this coming Monday @ The Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

The Water Sports Alert Network (WSAN) is your ALERT system to let you know what is going on in your area that could affect your use of the public waterways for the use of watersports. This network comes to you via courtesy of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Please forward this document to your friends and lake property owners that currently enjoy watersports on Lake Austin. It may be the most important information you share.

WHO: Wakeboarders, Wakeskaters, Wakesurfers, and all power boat enthusiasts.

WHAT: Prohibiting devices that are designed to increase the wake of a watercraft; Limiting the quantity or type of watercraft allowed on Lake Austin; Limit activity allowed in particular areas or during days and times.

WHERE: Town Lake Center Building (Austin Energy)
721 Barton Springs Road, Room #130
(across from the Palmer Events Center, right at the blinking crosswalk)

WHEN: Lake Austin Task Force Public Hearing
Monday, Oct 22, 6-8pm

WHY: Austin City Council has appointed a special task force to study possible ordinances that would limit activities and power boating on Lake Austin. Specifically this task force was formed to suggest options to improve water quality and reduce erosion on the lake. Options could include banning ballasts on wakeboarding boats, limiting when power boats could operate, limiting the type of boats that are allowed on the lake, and limiting where specific activities could be allowed. This initiative is being driven due to complaints from a select few vocal lakefront owners and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.
The subject of restricting access to our waterways has become a constant threat to the water sports we all love. Shore erosion and property damage is the battle cry. To date there is no study to support any shore erosion directly related to a boat’s wakes. Unfortunately most of these accusations are fueled by emotion. It is known that Mother Nature does far more damage to shore lines and property than boats. However, if you use that analogy, government will tell you they cannot stop Mother Nature, but they can stop wakeboarding or wakesurfing. Most agencies that govern water bodies will use a distance from shore or fixed objects as the proper means to reduce the size of a wake as it hits the shore. The distance is normally 100 to 200 feet. To suggest that the fix for Lake Austin is to ban an activity is not only ridiculous, but can cause damage to the Austin economy, a drastic reduction in lakefront property values and a loss of our freedom to enjoy this public waterway. It is the economic impact of such decisions that will become our strongest argument against any sanctions against recreational boating.

[konajay]

Good luck at the public meeting tonight. We all know that if something like this passes, it can spread like wildfire everywhere. Please keep us posted.

[t-n-t]

Please contact usawaterski.org, they have tons of infro. to use against any argument they bring up, and sometimes help you fight this. We can not let open waterways close for any reason!