In the wake of recent tragedy, a group of local residents and elected officials met Friday to brainstorm measures to curtail the boating free-for-all that Lake Lanier can become in the summer.
Possible solutions discussed include speed limits and more no-wake zones on parts of the popular lake.
Gwinnett County Commissioner John Heard said the freedom enjoyed by boaters on the lake is a good thing -- within limits.
"How do you maintain that personal liberty but make it so people understand their personal responsibility?" Heard said.
The meeting follows the June 18 deaths of 13-year-old Griffin Prince and his brother, 9-year-old Jake. They died when a fishing boat struck their pontoon boat driven by the boys' father. The pilot of the fishing boat has been charged with boating under the influence.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is investigating.
Accidents are nothing new at Lake Lanier. An estimated 7.5 million people visit the lake each year. Last year, there were 28 boating-related accidents that resulted in injuries or that involved alcohol.
On Thursday DNR announced a joint initiative with the Gwinnett County Police Department to boost the number of officers on the lake.
Some area residents are looking for other solutions. Members of the Lake Lanier Association met Friday with Heard and state Reps. Josh Clark, R-Buford, and Valerie Clark, R-Lawrenceville.
Among the ideas they discussed: mandatory headlights for boats, additional no-wake zones, speed limits in certain areas and more education efforts. They also discussed lowering the blood alcohol limit for a boating under the influence charge from .10 to .08, the same level considered legally intoxicated for the driver of a motor vehicle.
That last idea got a boost Thursday when Gov. Nathan Deal endorsed it. Josh Clark, who co-sponsored an unsuccessful bill to lower the blood alcohol limit for boat operators, said he believes it will pass next year.
Val Perry, executive vice president of the Lake Lanier Association, likes the idea of additional boater education. But he hopes DNR will be able to boost enforcement on the busy lake.
"Two or three (DNR) boats and 600 or more miles of shoreline, that doesn't work," Perry said.
About the Author
