By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
Elkhorn’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee took a look at the possibility of permitting powerboats on Elkhorn Lake.
Currently, City Administrator Sam Tapson said an ordinance passed previously limits the use of boats on Elkhorn Lake in Babe Mann Park to manual boats and electric trolling motors. At that time, Tapson said being a Waters of the State under Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources control, the DNR would not allow gas motors on the lake.
“That was the genesis, along with changing to a more passive approach to the lake,” he said.
However, the situation regarding the lake has changed, and according to Tapson through steps taken by the city, the lake has become a private lake owned by the city.
“If you want to change and allow for powerboats on a limited use basis, with permit and with fee, you can do so,” he said.
Tapson said the topic came to the committee after Mayor Brian Olson was approached by the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers – who were recently told they could no longer perform on Lauderdale Lake’s Don Jean Bay – and he said he wrote a draft ordinance which keeps the limit to manual and electric trolling motors, though allows for powerboat usage on an event basis by approval of the common council with a fee attached.
“They would probably need to use it more than just a day,” he said. “So, they could conceivably buy a seasonal permit, or a day permit. That hasn’t been determined yet, but that’s the gist of this whole thing.”
Olson said prior to the ordinance banning powerboats the club had used the lake and had a lot of success out there and at this time would like to come back and bring more shows and events to the community.
Olson said he thinks what would be proposed for a season pass would require there would be no guarantee on dates, requiring the club to work around any city events at the lake, such as fishing tournaments. Olson said this could also allow for other events on the lake, though it would be a very specific event pass.
“I think it’d be a good thing for the use of the lake,” he said. “It could bring some attraction out there.
With concerns about how much the skiers would utilize the lake, Olson said he thinks this could be something considered.
“I think you have a two-part here where you say yes to opening up the lake to the ordinance and your second discussion, or action, is how restrictive you want to be on the use,” he said, noting fees could then be discussed.
Additionally, under current ordinances, swimming is not permitted, something that would also need to be considered in further discussions on the topic.
As no action was taken on the topic, the committee aims to further discuss the issue at a 5 p.m. special meeting Thursday, April 9, in City Hall’s first floor conference room.
