Year-round 5-mph law best for Lake Macbride

Regarding Bob Burn's Dec. 14 plea for a safer Lake Macbride: I agree with his call for safety at the lake. I have fished the lake for over 35 years and now that I am retired, I am on the lake up to three times a week. I, however, have never seen a boat operating as pictured Dec.14, but I am sure there are violators just as there are folks who ignore the posted limits on the roadways.

In July, the Iowa DNR placed new signs at all the boat ramps stating: “All boats must operate at less than 5 mph.” With the DNR's budget woes, enforcement at the lake was probably not a high priority. So in an attempt to offer some level of enforcement the DNR asked lake residents to help police violators in the manner Bob presented. Oddly during the peak summer months, boats with 10-horsepower motors are allowed to operate at full speed running around the lake as noted “like a bullet shot into a crowd” while larger motors are prohibited from operating.

I am sure the Lake Macbride Water Safety Group would support the Legislature in reversing this dangerous summer exemption and require all boats regardless of motor size operate at the posted limit of less than 5 mph for the entire year. This would help ensure the safety at Lake Macbride that they seek and make equitable use of the lake for all the taxpayers that fund the park.

Dale Richey

Swisher