IDNR To Hold Hearing on Dewart Lake Seaplane Request
Posted
Kathy Cone-kcone@timesuniononline.com
SYRACUSE – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday to discuss a request for the creation of a seaplane landing base on Dewart Lake. The Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association applied to the IDNR, Division of Law Enforcement, for a permit to “provide more access to seaplanes and as not to discriminate against this use of our public resources.” A public notice last fall attracted the attention of lake residents. Ken Brehop, president of the Dewart Lake Property Owners Association, said that after seeing the announcement, 65 people signed a petition requesting a public hearing. “We saw the legal notice last fall, and asked for the public hearing,” he said, although the association took no action. He said he and at least a couple other people will attend Monday’s meeting. Brehop said right now they are just seeking information. Dewart Lake had been the site of a private landing strip until a year ago, according to Maj. Michael Portteus, DNR support services commander of the law enforcement division. He explained that the department has been closing private bases or converting them into public ones. Portteus said the department wants public bases on public lakes, and with that conversion, the IDNR will become operator. Regarding the specific requirements for a landing base, “The state law wasn’t in alignment with federal law,” he explained. “The old requirement called for one mile of landing area, but this has been changed to a half-mile. That’s enough from a physics standpoint.” Portteus emphasized that public lakes “are for the use and enjoyment of all,” saying seaplane pilots are no different from those who use boats or personal watercraft. “We don’t want to hear ‘I don’t like them’ arguments. Some people don’t like jet skis, either, but that’s not a valid argument.” He said seaplanes have been around a very long time, and officials treat them as boats after they land on water, subject to the same regulations. For example, they must adhere to boating rules while floating or anchored, and they will not be seen between dusk and dawn as the 10-mile-an-hour speed limit during that time period is too low for a seaplane’s takeoff and landing. Portteus said he and Randy Strebig, president of the seaplane pilots association, will also attend the hearing to answer questions and offer information. The IDNR office is located at 9822 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse.
