Fwd: My strong objection to a ban on fishing boats in Horsetooth Reservoir's Satanka Cove

[Bill Prater]

To:  Larimer County Commissioners Jody Shadduck-McNally, Kristin Stephens, John Kefalas 

Dear Commissioners:

Reference:  https://www.larimer.org/spotlights/2021/04/01/larimer-county-natural-resources-separates-paddlecraft-use-motorized-boating

For well over a decade now, I have annually paid $140 and more for the right to fish Horsetooth Reservoir from my little boat, mostly on Monday through Thursday to avoid weekend crowds. Over the past year I have tolerated a quadrupling or more of paddleboard use on just about every acre of this lake, every darned day of the week. Anglers like myself pay a daily combined fee for their vehicle and a single boat. Paddleboarders who use Horsetooth pay a single $9 vehicle fee, and can bring in as many inflatable paddleboards as will fit in their car or truck. A common (and understandable) practice is to park acquaintances’ cars outside Horsetooth boundaries and pile everyone into a single vehicle.

One of the biggest annoyances to retirees like myself has been the absolute flood of growing paddleboard traffic on both ends of the lake including the upper reaches of Satanka Cove, one of my absolutely favorite fishing spots (A fact I have mostly kept to myself until now). I have just learned that no boats will be allowed in the cove this year, essentially taking it from anglers and leaving it to paddleboarders.

Um, respectfully, I was there first. I pay an awful lot for the privilege of fishing in Satanka and a limited number of other quality fishing coves. And I strongly object to a major change like this being enacted without opportunity for public comment. Please tell me I am misunderstanding the situation - or better yet, restore my fishing rights to Satanka Cove. And please, please, do not think about closing off any other coves on this lake. If you feel the need to isolate paddleboards from other lake users to avoid conflicts - and that is certainly understandable - limit paddleboarders to as much open water as you like east of the Satanka Boat Ramp. Conflict solved; everyone's happy.

I am offering this opinion on this as a Loveland resident, editor and past president of the Loveland Fishing  Club, and long-time volunteer and supporter of Larimer County Parks and Open Space. It sure seems like the county is cutting into the rights of long-time lake users in favor of followers of a newly popular sport and a commercial paddleboard rental operation. It also seems like paddleboarders are getting a huge freebie that I have to pay for, and that the commercial interests at the Satanka Boat Ramp will get near-exclusive access to one of the most attractive features of our lake.

Here is a link to the considerable discussion taking place on the Facebook page of Chad LaChance, host of the "Fishful Thinker" television program and one of the most knowledgeable and trustworth advocates of Horsetooth Reservoir: https://www.facebook.com/FishfulThinker/posts/4027132374008665

You will see I am far from alone in my unhappiness.

Respectfully,

John W. (Bill) Prater

970-988-9174

bill...@gmail.com

[Bill Prater]

There's also discussion going on on the general forum of http://fishexplorer.com You will see I am far from alone in my unhappiness.

[John Kefalas]

Good morning Mr. Prater and Happy Easter,

Thank you for your email to me and my fellow commissioners regarding your concerns about the public safety decision and process for separating paddle boarders and motorized boating in Satanka Cove. We will follow up with our DNR Director and Horsetooth Reservoir District Manager to get further clarification about the decision and public involvement process. 

	John Kefalas County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org

[Bill Prater]

Wow, Mr. Kefalas, I was hoping to hear back from you on this, but hardly expected such immediate feedback, especially here at Easter. I am well aware of the dilemma of conflicting interests at Horsetooth and other open space properties, and would welcome the opportunity to work toward a more equitable solution. Thanks! Bill

[Bill Prater]

Thank you sincerely, for continue to follow through on this troublesome issue. The attached staff assessment of safety issues on Horsetooth does not come to a conclusion I would prefer, but it is a thoughtful analysis of a vexing situation - growing conflict caused by an explosion of all forms of lake users. I look forward to the possibility of a public discussion. 

I would also like to offer an alternative for improved safety on all of Horsetooth. I suspect you will find that closing Satanka Cove to motorized boating will have minimal impact on overall lake safety. It is, as staff says, only 1 percent of the lake. To me, the central issue is: unlike the fairly recent past, paddleboards and kayaks are now everywhere on the lake - bobbing in open water with the wakeboats and jet skies, clustered around boat ramps, in and out of every cove. They are coming in conflict with pretty much every form of boater. Focusing on Satanka offers dubious benefit.

Instead, go ahead and limit ALL Horsetooth COVES to Non-motorized vessels and electric motors. (All coves but the two with boat ramps, and probably Dixon, where power boaters have for years gathered on weekends to socialize and swim. No gas motors in other coves. Just low speed paddles and electric motors, starting from a reasonable point where each cove narrows. 

This restriction is done where it makes sense across Colorado and just about every other state where conditions dictate; Quincy Reservoir near Denver comes to mind. Only paddles and trolling motors are permitted on that 190-acre lake; you can use a gas-powered boat there, just don't fire up the gas motor! If the primary issue is truly safety (I would argue it is conflict avoidance) no one can seriously argue that a boat creeping through the water with a trolling motor poses a significant risk to paddleboarders, kayaks or swimmers. To see the extent of this type of solution, Google "electric motor only lakes." 

You might wonder why I offer a suggestion clearly more restrictive than the one just enacted. I worry about the Satanka decision becoming a "slippery slope" with unintended consequences. To the argument that no one should worry, I offer one word:  Pinewood. Different issue, different Larimer County lake; same result. I will stubbornly argue that anglers did not lose access to Satanka because of equity; we lost it simply because we were abruptly outnumbered by people who have found delight in new technologies that allow safer and less expensive kayaks and inexpensive inflatable paddleboards. I do understand their appeal and everyone's need to escape to somewhere in the open air. I smile every time I see some sturdy soul atop a paddleboard in the wake of a wakeboard in the middle of the lake; go for it!  I'll watch for you. I simply fear that, emboldened by the success at Satanka, paddleboarders and kayakers will soon press for a total ban on motorized watercraft in every Horsetooth cove. 

So let's go ahead and bow to the inevitable now; and keep it a bit more equitable for all.

Thank you.

John W. (Bill) Prater

On Thu, Apr 8, 2021 at 5:26 PM John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Mr. Prater,

I have attached the response prepared by our DNR folks for your consideration, and I believe we are planning to have a public meeting regarding this policy decision. Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for your due diligence and for attending the Parks Advisory Board meeting the other night.

[Deborah Shulman]

Yet another thoughtful letter Bill.  You brought up a greater issue that needs to be addressed.  I have advocated in the past for more education of paddlers.  I frequently see them drive to the boat ramp and unload and set up while blocking boats from putting in.  I’ve seen them paddle right behind boats putting in.  As I said in my comment at the board meeting, it always disturbs me to see paddle boarders in bathing suits and not wearing a pfd go out into the middle of the reservoir where I would not paddle in my bright yellow touring kayak when there are high speed boats.  I stick near shore while in the main body of the reservoir and only cross when there are few motorboats.

We need to also address these issues of safety and etiquette with paddlers.  It goes both ways.

Thank you

Deborah 

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Deborah Shulman, Ph.D.
DrD.Bod...@gmail.com
970-481-2523

[Bill Prater]

Sadly, true about etiquette and common sense. I'm a curmudgeon, but even I realize we probably wouldn't be having this conversation if lake users practiced the golden rule and a reasonable amount of courtesy. 

[Russell Fruits]

Having both volunteered with Larimer Dive rescue and as a Boat Ranger assistant, I've seen plenty of bad behavior and reckless acts on the water.  Staff are constantly coaching behavior and educating recreators.  I think this surge of people using the resources isn't going to slow down anytime soon.  I'm open for any creative means that can allow as much public use as possible as safely as possible.  We've mentioned several times in Parks Board meetings, sometimes we have to work to keep a resource from being loved to death.  I can't wait for additional recreational opportunities like chimney hollow to spread that love.   

On Fri, Apr 9, 2021 at 7:17 PM John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

I am a big fan of the golden rule, etiquette and common sense.

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Russell Fruits
970-480-7325