ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 11, 1996 TAG: 9611120007
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Outdoors
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
Smith Mountain Lake has changed, not unlike other popular natural attractions from Nags Head, N.C., to Sedona, Ariz.
The 20,000-acre lake rapidly has become a city on the water. With that distinction comes some of the problems that go with city life: noise and crowds and the reality that one person's fun can be another's annoyance.
Coves that once lured loons and hooded mergansers now attract personal watercraft, is how one lake resident aptly described the transition. The growth is applauded by some, lamented by others and impacted by all.
This helps explains the high-decibel debates in the wake of boating proposals made by the Smith Mountain Lake Association Task Force on Water Safety and Noise Abatement. The recommendations called for licensing, speed limits, noise reduction, liability insurance, tougher guidelines on the operation of personal watercraft, more game wardens and instruction required of people renting watercraft.
Two public hearings on the issues drew an estimated 400 people, some wearing bright pink tags that read ``Education Not Legislation.'' More than 200 others responded to a survey in the Smith Mountain Eagle.
Out of it came no clear consensus on how to deal with boating problems that some believe have robbed the lake of its serenity and safety.
It has been a brother against brother affair; or, better put, lake retirees vs. lake businessmen, muscle-boat and personal watercraft (PWC) operators vs. lake residents looking for tranquility on their patio.
The task force members took a verbal beating over what many opponents viewed as an overkill effort to solve problems best left to courtesy, common sense and dedication to voluntary safety training. But no one can deny they have created a needed public awareness of boating safety and the changing face of the lake community.
Not long ago, there were no problems with PWC because there were no PWC. Nor was speed and noise a factor, not when many of the craft on the lake were car-toppers and anybody with a 65 h.p. outboard was considered to be fast company. Knowledge of the rules of the road really wasn't all that important when you pretty much had the water to yourself. About the only intrusion was when you rounded a point and found someone hovering over your favorite crappie hole.
Things change. The question is, have they changed so much that mandatory licensing and other regulations need to be enacted, or can lake users work things out through voluntary education and attention to the Golden Rule?
A new group spawned from the debates is supporting the education not legislation concept with the belief that the lake can be made safer without boaters giving up freedoms that help make their sport attractive. It is called the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association.
Last week, following the public input, the task force softened its proposals somewhat, but still plans to submit a package to the Smith Mountain Lake Association. Things like speed limits aren't likely to go far, but many agree mandatory liability insurance is needed. The big question: Is a mandatory boat operator's license also needed?
Bob Halstead, a task force co-chairman, wishes that a term other than license had been used.
``A lot of people think licensing is more regulations; more government,'' he said. ``Part of the compromise might be that we go to mandatory water safety training and have a card issued that a person could carry saying he has had training.''
Jim Mills, a boat dealer and leader in the new boating association, is a strong advocate of education, but believes it is best done through example, through talking it up, through volunteer efforts of boaters helping boaters.
``You can't legalize common sense,'' he said.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB