Eagle Island no wake zone hearing

The Laconia man leading the charge for the establishment of a "no wake zone" in the narrow channel between Eagle Island and Governor's Island on Lake Winnipesaukee told a NH Department of Safety (DOS) hearing officer yesterday the area is "dangerous" and home to "non-stop violations" of the 150-ft. rule clearance law on weekends.

Erwin "Custie" Crampton estimated the "Eagle Island Narrows" to be only about 400-ft. wide and called it "impossible" for passing boats to stay 150-ft. away from each other. He said the channel sees a lot of traffic because it is located almost due-east of Weirs Beach and is the most direct route out to the broad part of the lake.

New Hampshire law calls for boats traveling at more than headway speed (six mph or less with no wake) to stay separated by at least 150-ft., and to stay at least that far away from shore. A channel, then, has to be a minimum of 450-ft. wide to allow boats to legally pass one another at more than headway speed.

Crampton and Gilford resident John Goodhue were the only people to testify at the public hearing where newspaper reporters outnumbered the general public by a count of 4-2.

Goodhue told Curtis Duclos, administrator for DOS's Bureau of Hearing, he "totally" agreed with the need for the proposed no wake zone and suggested it might not be wide enough. The petition submitted to DOS by Crampton asked the zone extend for 100-yards east and west of Eagle Island.

Eagle Island is less than two-acres in size and sits off the northern tip of Governor's Island, which contains 500-acres. Both islands fall within the limits of Gilford township.

Noting that he had been boating on the lake for 55 years and was a member of the Gilford Conservation Commission, Goodhue said a no wake zone in the channel would also help stem the erosion that is occurring along the Governor's Island shoreline.

Crampton had set the process in motion by presenting DOS with a petition containing 67 names, far more than the 25 required to call for a public hearing. He represents the New Hampshire Recreational Boating Association and indicated he picked up most of the signatures at Silver Sands Marina and Rita's Mexican Bar and Grille.

The petition states there are "many close calls (in the narrows) every weekend".

Duclos said there would be an opportunity for people who could not attend yesterday's hearing to wade in on the issue for another week. The public comment period will end on August 19, and DOS Commissioner Richard Flynn can be expected to issue a ruling within a couple of weeks of that date.

People wishing to offer written testimony may address Curtis Duclos at the Department of Safety, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. His fax number is 603-271-6653 and he can also be reached via e-mail at: safety-hearings@safety.state.nh.us.