ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610280121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-14 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: OUTDOORS
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
Smith Mountain Lake is gaining a reputation as a piece of outlaw water where anything goes. The perception is that noisy, high-speed boats and personal water craft are in the hands of demon drivers whose only interest in boating safety instruction is, ``How do you start this baby?''
That is an exaggerated view of a beautiful lake, but Smith Mountain does have its problems. Its many coves and narrow channels tend to magnify those concerns on busy weekends.
But there isn't anything that can't be solved by common sense, consideration, courtesy and more dedication to boating safety training. There are scores of boating courses free for the taking.
Beyond that, are more regulations needed to deal with wild-eyed and ignorant boaters? Or would additional rules - and wardens to enforce them - do little more than detract from the sense of freedom and relaxation that boating is designed to afford?
Those questions are at the heart of a heated debate that will intensify this week when a task force formed by the Smith Mountain Lake Association seeks input on seven initiatives its says could make the lake safer and more tranquil. They are:
* A mandatory boat operator's license obtained through a written test and required of boaters age 14 and younger when operating a craft of 10 horsepower or more.
* A speed limit of 5 mph on all watercraft when they are within 100 feet of the shoreline, structures or swimmers, and a limit of 55 mph on other parts of the lake unless otherwise limited.
* A 90-decibel maximum on boat engine noise.
* A better definition of what constitutes reckless operation of personal watercraft, with additional language that includes jumping boat wakes within 100 feet of another boat and weaving through congested traffic.
* Mandatory liability insurance for all registered boats.
* More game wardens to enforce boating regulations.
* A requirement that businesses renting boats and personal watercraft administer operation instructions and a checklist of safety rules when a craft is rented.
Several of the regulations would require approval by the General Assembly, and local legislators aren't standing in line to carry the package to Richmond.
The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership, which is like a family member of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, believes the task force is going for overkill.
A recent statement released by the chamber said, ``There are enough laws on the books in Virginia relating to the issues that this task force brings up, the most comprehensive being reckless boating. It would be more productive to free up the game wardens' time so that they are in a better position to observe and stop those breaking the existing laws than to create non-productive and essentially unenforceable new laws.''
As the period for public participation approaches, members of the task force are spending time emphasizing that their seven-point package contains suggestions designed to create helpful input, not divisiveness.
``We want the public's input,'' said Bob Halstead, a task force co-chairman. ``We do not profess to know all of the answers. One thing we have done, we sure have stirred up a lot of public discussion.''
That part isn't bad, considering the suggestions come at the end of a season in which a record 55 boating accidents were recorded, including one fatality. Those are troublesome statistics no matter which side of the debate you take.
Two public meetings are scheduled, one Tuesday at Burnt Chimney Elementary School and one Wednesday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, both beginning at 7 p.m.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 linesby CNB