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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, May 27, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 23 (7. LONG LAKE SLOW NO WAKE REGULATIONS (PUBLIC HEARING) – ORDINANCE – TABLED, Continued) Sturney stated he has a great interest in what happens to the shoreline and that he does not have any desire to see it washed away into the lake, but that he would echo many of the same comments that John Diavik made. Sturney noted this issue was first raised last year when there was a lot of high water and residents became concerned that there was going to be another annual wake surf championship on the lake in August. Sturney stated the surf competitions do generate some pretty tremendous size wakes and that without the ordinance Long Lake would have no ability to reject that competition. Sturney stated to his understanding that was the impetus behind the ordinance but that since that time things have evolved. Sturney stated in his view a reasonable wake restriction makes a lot of sense, especially during some of the more extreme high water levels, but that he has not seen any visible evidence of actual erosion even without the no-wake zone in place. Sturney stated the main issue is what the reasonable level for a no- wake zone should be which balances activities by people who would like to use the lake and the erosion concerns. Sturney stated this year the water level was higher than it was last year with an east wind at the peak of the water levels and that Mother Nature can do a lot more than a boat wake can do. Sturney stated another concern is when the no-wake levels are in effect and that in his view three days above some limit seems to make sense. Sturney indicated he is glad to hear that Long Lake has removed the part that said it had to be under the no-wake limit for three days before you could use your boat. Another concern is how and where it is posted. Currently the sign is placed on a garden stake at the launch, which requires people to actually go down to the launch to see whether they can launch their boat or not. Sturney stated he would like to see something more substantial, like perhaps at the dam. Sturney stated since the no-wake restriction is a new thing for Long Lake, he would prefer to see it set at a higher level at first with a possible downward revision should there be a factual presentation of actual studied data evidencing that erosion has taken place. Sturney stated the no-wake ordinance should be as inclusive as it can be in terms of the broadest range of activities that are allowed rather than exclusive. Sturney stated he personally would like a quieter lake more than a busier lake but that it is there for the public and a no-wake sign should not mean go away. Sturney stated he would encourage the Orono City Council to do whatever they can to streamline or simplify the process of erosion mediation. Jim Bigham, 1545 Long Lake Boulevard, stated he went to look at the dam before tonight’s meeting and that it is between 185’ and 190’. Bigham stated he is not sure how that relates to the numbers discussed earlier tonight, but noted the dam is the only place people really have to look at to see what the lake level is. Bigham stated he does not want his shoreline eroded but that the level of the water is down considerably since April. Bigham stated in his view there should not be more regulations than what there really needs to be and that he should be able to go over to the marking on the dam to see what the real elevation of the lake is. Bigham indicated he does not have any idea of what 944 or 945 means, nor does he have any way of measuring that, but that he can look at his dock and tell how deep the water is. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 06/09/2014 Approval of Council Minutes 05/27/2014 [Page 11 of 23]