Bill to save Ellis Boat Harbor passes House vote

HF 2484, the “save Ellis Harbor bill,” was approved 96-1 by the House Thursday, allowing the continued operation of Ellis Harbor on the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids.

After the 2008 flood, problems arose between boat house owners and the state Department of Natural Resources.

The bill, which goes to the Senate, will allow owners to continue to use barrels as flotation devices, instead of the foam the department prefers, and to transfer dock permits to family members. If the permits are not transferred, HF 2293 would have the DNR make them available for purchase, Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, D-Cedar Rapids, said.

“The disasters of 2008 took so much of what made our state great,” she said, “and a ‘yes' vote allows us to keep a precious piece of outdoor recreation that not only our community wants, but makes Iowa a great place for recreation.”