Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office requests assistance from boaters to minimize shoreline erosion

            Due to the increased Lake levels from our recent heavy rains the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office is asking boaters to help minimize shoreline erosion.  We are asking all boaters to consider 300 feet from shore to be a no wash, no wake zone on all of our area lakes.  One of the main reasons for establishing a no wash no wake zones is to prevent fragile shoreline from being eroded by the large waves that are caused by a boat when it is passing under power.  Now, with the increased Lake levels, boats have a greater ability to operate under power closer to the shorelines that previously were more protected from the waves caused by the passing boat. 

            Another area for concern is in and around reed areas and the damage that can be caused by passing boats interfering with any nesting loons.  Loons commonly will use reed beds to build their nests using the reeds to help protect their nest.  On many area lakes the reeds are now either submerged or close to being submerged and the nests are without the protection that the reeds once offered.  A boat passing under power can cause large waves to upset the nest, thus possibly harming the young nesting loons. At this time we are asking for voluntary compliance to the 300 foot safety zone of all Beltrami County lakes to be considered a no wash no wake zone.

            Recently the Commissioner of the MN Department of Natural Resources approved an expedited process for all counties, cities and towns in Minnesota to enact slow no wash no wake zones due to the high water issues across the state.  At this time Beltrami County is not taking steps to enact temporary rules to designate and enforce the temporary no wash no wake zones, but is closely monitoring the situation and asking for voluntary compliance.

            All lakes and waterways that were previously designated by ordinance as no wash no wake zones are being strictly enforced.