Boat house battle all but over

The long struggle to bring boat houses back to Ellis Harbor is all but over.

The Iowa House and Senate recently passed legislation (HF2484) that will allow the tradition of floating summer homes in the harbor on the Cedar River to continue without restriction. The Governor is expected to sign the bill.

And for boat house owners and enthusiasts, it's the end of a long ordeal.

One of the iconic scenes from the flood of 2008 was all the boat houses piled up like kindling at a railroad bridge near Quaker Oats. High water and fast current tore dozens of boat houses loose from the harbor. About half the 140 or so boat houses broke free during the flooding.

After the flood waters went down, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources allowed owners still in the water to stay. But those who had boat houses tossed ashore or torn up could not return or rebuild. And owners worried that even those that survived couldn't sell their property to anyone else or pass it to other family members.

But Tom Furnish, chair of the Cedar Rapids River Recreation Commission, said the new legislation awaiting the Governor's signature literally turns back the clock.

“We're going to be back where we were before--the city's going to have control of the harbor just like it was the day it was built,” Furnish said.

Jerry Copeland, for one, couldn't be happier. The Cedar Rapids resident owns two boat houses in the harbor and first came to the water about 40 years ago. Copeland said he's happy the battle is almost over. But he's a little sad that some owners who lost their boat houses probably won't come back even if they soon can.

“Some of the old timers will not rebuild. But we're going to get a lot of new people down here--so that's good too,” Copeland said.

The city's River Recreation Commission is beginning to get new applications to fill the inner harbor boat house space. One potential owner told TV9 he's ready to build as soon as the Governor signs.

Once that bill becomes law, pre-flood rules will apply with just a few exceptions.

New boat house owners must user more modern foam-filled floats rather than the cheaper plastic barrels. And the city will also insist on new, stronger systems to keep the floating structures firmly attached to shore in case of future high water.

As for the Governor, he's on record as supporting a return for the boat houses at Ellis Harbor--so supporters say there's little doubt he will sign. And boat house enthusiasts say they wouldn't be surprised if the Governor came to Ellis Harbor for a signing ceremony--perhaps as early as next week.

Dave Franzman, KCRG-TV