Essex502
03-23-2004, 08:29 AM
Council to consider carbon monoxide recommendations
By Brian Wedemeyer
Bridgewater Channel could have a much different look this summer if the Lake Havasu City Council adopts staff recommendations to tackle the carbon monoxide issue.
Staff has recommended several actions be taken starting Memorial Day weekend, such as prohibiting mooring of boats on holiday weekends. Wading in the Channel also could be prohibited. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the police facility, 2360 McCulloch Blvd.
âThe idea is to minimize the chance that somebody would be poisoned in the Channel,â said Charlie Cassens, city spokesman. âThe best way to accomplish that is to separate the people from the boats.â
Attracting hundreds of boaters and partygoers on busy summer weekends, the Channel has been the subject of growing concerns about open-air carbon monoxide poisoning from boat exhaust.
The Arizona Department of Health Services, which participated in some air-quality testing, determined that a public health hazard existed at the Channel last Memorial Day weekend. An autopsy of a man who drowned in the Channel that same weekend determined that carbon monoxide was a secondary cause of death. The family has since threatened a lawsuit after the city rejected its $2 million wrongful death claim.
A consultant hired by the city last year determined that carbon monoxide concentrations in the Channel were highest on boats and near the waterâs surface from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Concentrations also were highest on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.
âWe understand there are thousands of responsible people who go to the Channel on holiday weekends who would be affected by this,â Cassens said. âWe donât expect itâs going to be a popular recommendation, but hopefully it will be an effective one.â
Staff has proposed restricting mooring to designated areas on non-holiday weekends, and enforcement of an âengines-offâ ordinance for those boats that are beached.
Other recommendations include creation of pamphlets, posters, public service announcements and signs to warn people about potential carbon monoxide poisoning. The cost to carry out the recommended actions is estimated at $66,700.
Staff also has proposed long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide levels to measure the effectiveness of the actions taken. In addition, the city attorneyâs office would draft an ordinance giving the police chief or other designee authority to take action if air quality is believed to be hazardous.
By Brian Wedemeyer
Bridgewater Channel could have a much different look this summer if the Lake Havasu City Council adopts staff recommendations to tackle the carbon monoxide issue.
Staff has recommended several actions be taken starting Memorial Day weekend, such as prohibiting mooring of boats on holiday weekends. Wading in the Channel also could be prohibited. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the police facility, 2360 McCulloch Blvd.
âThe idea is to minimize the chance that somebody would be poisoned in the Channel,â said Charlie Cassens, city spokesman. âThe best way to accomplish that is to separate the people from the boats.â
Attracting hundreds of boaters and partygoers on busy summer weekends, the Channel has been the subject of growing concerns about open-air carbon monoxide poisoning from boat exhaust.
The Arizona Department of Health Services, which participated in some air-quality testing, determined that a public health hazard existed at the Channel last Memorial Day weekend. An autopsy of a man who drowned in the Channel that same weekend determined that carbon monoxide was a secondary cause of death. The family has since threatened a lawsuit after the city rejected its $2 million wrongful death claim.
A consultant hired by the city last year determined that carbon monoxide concentrations in the Channel were highest on boats and near the waterâs surface from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Concentrations also were highest on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.
âWe understand there are thousands of responsible people who go to the Channel on holiday weekends who would be affected by this,â Cassens said. âWe donât expect itâs going to be a popular recommendation, but hopefully it will be an effective one.â
Staff has proposed restricting mooring to designated areas on non-holiday weekends, and enforcement of an âengines-offâ ordinance for those boats that are beached.
Other recommendations include creation of pamphlets, posters, public service announcements and signs to warn people about potential carbon monoxide poisoning. The cost to carry out the recommended actions is estimated at $66,700.
Staff also has proposed long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide levels to measure the effectiveness of the actions taken. In addition, the city attorneyâs office would draft an ordinance giving the police chief or other designee authority to take action if air quality is believed to be hazardous.