Get rid of speed limit at Lake MacBride

As a bass boat owner, I must respond to the Jan. 6 letter favoring the discriminatory policy of restricting motor use on Lake Macbride to 10 horsepower (“Arguments for speed limit at Lake Macbride”).

Argument: Use an electric trolling motor.

Rebuttal: OK, then require all fishermen to use only electric trolling motors. A pontoon running full throttle using a 10-horsepower outboard leaves a much larger wake than my 18-foot bass boat traveling at 5 mph.

Argument: Motorized vehicles are restricted from using bicycle/pedestrian trails.

Rebuttal: Well, yeah, that's why the trails were constructed in the first place! They provide a safe place for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel. Snowmobile trails are already in place as are ATV parks. Motorcyclists can legally travel on public highways. Iowa fishermen pay thousands of dollars to use a public lake through boat registration fees, fuel taxes and fishing license fees. We should not be discriminated against because we own an outboard motor larger than 10 horsepower.

Argument: Buy a 10-horsepower outboard.

Rebuttal: Using that line of reasoning, why doesn't the state force all Iowans to purchase automobiles that attain at least 30 miles per gallon regardless of the economic hardship that results?

Argument: “Relying on self-enforcement is well-intended but risky policy.”

Rebuttal: I agree. Every year while fishing Lake Macbride I observe pontoons equipped with 10-horsepower engines running at full throttle disobeying the no-wake law. It only takes one negligent pontoon operator to cause a serious accident!

Edward Crosby

Robins