Public hearing next week for proposed water noise ordinance

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff Writer

There will be a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 7, regarding a proposed amendment to county law that would further water safety regulations to include penalties for unlawful noise levels.

Under the proposed amendment (Title 3, Chapter 1, Section 108), it would be illegal to operate a watercraft emitting noise levels above a certain decibel, depending on when the watercraft was manufactured. Proposed additions to the current water safety laws also include making it illegal for a boat to emit audio so loud that it can be heard from a distance of 200 feet. Another proposed section would put the same 200-foot restriction on “talking, yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing.”

Those interested can read the entirely of the proposed ordinance amendment by visiting the Bonner County Board of Commissioner’s office or the Waterways Advisory Board website.

Thursday’s public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. in the first floor conference room of the County Administration Building. Anyone with written comments they want considered at the hearing should get that information to the commissioner’s office before 5 p.m. on Sept. 1.