Dewart Lake Residents Seek Answers on Seaplane Base
Posted
Kathy Cone-kcone@timesuniononline.com
SYRACUSE – Approximately 20 residents of the Dewart Lake area showed up at a public hearing Monday night to find out if that lake will become a public seaplane base, and to air their concerns. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Support Services Commander Maj. Michael Portteus, along with Lt. John Karris, head of IDNR Div. 1, led the meeting that was requested last fall after the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association applied for a base permit. Up until last spring, Dewart Lake had been the site of a private landing strip, according to Portteus. He explained that new federal regulations have decreased length requirements from one mile to a half mile, and the change launched an examination of existing bases. They decided that public bases would be a better option for public lakes, and so began the process of closing private bases on public lakes or converting them into public ones. Consequently, ISPA applied to the IDNR for a permit to create a public seaplane base. No decision will be made for anywhere from six months to a year, said Portteus, because IDNR Director Cameron Clark has to first consider the application, the law and public comments. If he does decide to move ahead, the FAA will be contacted to make an air compatibility study and the IDNR’s airspace department will also be called for an on-site inspection. Citing safety as a major concern, resident Richard Kempf said he worried about children on the lake. This was seconded by Girl Scout Camp Logan director Jeff Kelsheimer, who added, “My concerns aren’t about rights or legalities, but of the girls who use the lake.” There are two youth camps on the east side of the lake which allow young people to take out canoes or other non-motorized watercraft. Kempf asked, “Who has priority?” Portteus reiterated that the lake was available to all the public, and no one person has priority. Pressed on where he stands on the issues, he said he is listening to and collecting comments, adding, “I don’t have an opinion.” Other concerns were expressed such as how much area would be needed, noise and who has right of way. One woman asked if there would be a physical base, but was told that the term “base” referred only to the lake and there would be no building or structure. Some questions were about how a pilot would decide if there was enough landing space, and some technical questions, but Randy Strebig, ISPA president, was not present to answer these. Portteus said Strebig had set the time and place of the meeting but failed to show. Karris called him and informed the crowd that he said he had recorded the wrong date. Ken Brehop, president of the Dewart Lake Properties Association, said after the meeting that he thought Portteus did a nice job and that the residents brought up good questions, but that it would have been better if Strebig had been present. He said he will notify the lake association members of the issues. Portteus said he will take letters or comments for a while longer. Contact him at Maj. Michael Portteus, 402 W. Washington St. Rm W255D, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or at 317-233-3847 or MPortteus@dnr.IN.gov
