Another channel closure discussion...
So if they do, for whatever mistaken reason close the channel to mooring/beaching boats what is really likely to happen?
The newly installed city officials complain about the rowdiness, drunkeness and general atmosphere down there. Perhaps they throw in the CO problem to make the closure argument seem more scientific. The trash, the loud music, the gangbanger types......there are some real issues there and I would agree that a family with little kids would be well advised to not go there on busy weekends. There are other beaches available. Rotary park is a no alcohol area and is rarely busy unless a regatta is using part of the beach.
However, all these problems are basically enforceable under current laws. We know stepped up enforcement is the answer. New laws aren't needed. Of course WE are not the problem... Well, not usually anyway. Its those other boaters.... I would think a handful of officers on foot patrol could recoup their cost just from issuing citations for littering, loud music, and idling motors...(nudity should only warrant a warning )
But beyond that, where will the displaced boaters go? I have read a few posts by those claiming they won't go anymore. I find that hard to believe. There is a lot more to the lake than the channel. If it never existed Havasu would still be a great place to boat.
But back to my point.....There's a two dozen or so transient dock spaces for the store patrons to utilize. The wait for those is gonna be ridiculous. How else can you get your pizza, or run in to SteveO's....so boats will be clogging the waterway jockeying for space. The sandwich/ice cream shop across the way has access to a couple of spots too I think.
The drunks, which are the ones that are causing the main problems anyway will now be dispersed across the lake. So instead of being beached in the channel, They will likely end up at Copper Canyon or the sandbar. So after a day of drinking and rowdiness they will make a highspeed run up/down river and across the lake endangering all those around them.....instead of a low speed idle to the marina or over to the nearby launchramps.
The sandbar, which now borders on the obscene on occasion, (not that I mind :crossx: ) will get the majority of those no longer in the channel. Moabi, and Steamboat will get the rest. The little coves that we each may know will have pressure put on them by the hundreds of other boats that will be out on the lake.
Certainly there are many suggestions on what could be done, including permit parking, time limits, even meters. Perhaps just step up the enforcement of existing laws. My understanding is that the City does not have jurisdiction all over the lake, but only the beaches above a certain water line and over the channel. So if they push the boaters out, then enforcement becomes the problem of the counties, BLM and other agencies......I wonder what their thoughts on closing the channel will be?
My point here is not to berate the locals for trying to curtail what they see as rowdy behaviour but point out that pushing the problem onto other law enforcement agencies may not be the best thing either.
What other ramifications might occur from this possible action?