Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 17, 1994 TAG: 9404170071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
His latest is an effort to oust the U.S. Coast Guard from Smith Mountain Lake.
"In 1977 the U.S. Coast Guard sent up a detachment by highway from Portsmouth claiming that Smith Mountain Lake was considered by them to be navigable waters and therefore under their jurisdiction," he says.
Notice the words "by highway." In this era of dams, there's no way you can get a boat up the Roanoke River from the coast; in fact, the river never has been considered navigable beyond the town of Brookneal, Bourassa said.
So Bourassa sees the presence of the Coast Guard as illegal, as an invasion of state's rights, as a harassment of local boaters, fishermen and shoreline landowners. He has asked Gov. Allen to send the Guard packing.
Some 20 years ago, Bourassa, who was president of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, had convoys of supporters going to Richmond and Roanoke when he took on the State Water Control Board and the city of Roanoke over dirty water coming into the lake. He won that fight, and he even became a member of the State Water Control Board.
This time, he pretty much stands alone. In fact, Bourassa's effort to get the Coast Guard to go back down the highway to Portsmouth has stimulated a surprising amount of support for the agency:
Karl Lerz, president of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, has endorsed the Coast Guard's presence, saying it benefits the safe use of the lake.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has stated it is an enthusiastic supporter of the Guard and welcomes the assistance that agency can provide.
The Smith Mountain Eagle newspaper has praised the Guard in an editorial.
Becky Norton Dunlop, the Secretary of Natural Resources, told Bourassa that the Office of the Governor is "not prepared at this time to discuss the departure of the Coast Guard."
Attitudes have been changing since those early days when Bourassa ruled the lake. There is a feeling among many lake users that Smith Mountain needs a greater presence of law enforcement, not less. Last year, 34 boating accidents were reported at Smith Mountain, more - by far - than anywhere in Virginia, including the vast Chesapeake Bay. In a distant second place was the James River, with six accidents.
Bourassa, who is president of the Virginia Lake Association, believes inland lakes should be patrolled by the Department of Game and Inland Fishieres. He thinks the Coast Guard is carrying out its duties too forcibly.
An example, he said, is the Guard's effort to require fishing guides to obtain a captain's license, called a Federal Masters license, before taking people fishing for a fee.
"Fishing guides are sport fishermen and are encouraged to help other sport fishermen to fish in Smith Mountain Lake," said Bourassa, who operated Cedar Key fishing lodge, on the lower end of the lake, before his retirement.
Thomas Bishop, who is in charge of the Coast Guard's Smith Mountain detachment, believes the Guard's effort to get guides licensed as commercial boat operators is valid.
"Persons who are paying for a service have a right to expect this service will be conducted in a safest manner by someone who knows the basics of seamanship, first aid and carries the proper equipment on board," he said.
Bourassa says he has devoted too many years of his life to the "protection of the state's water resources to see this important resource now being turned over to the federal bureaucracy."
He is a man who does not surrender easily.
by CNB