Latest news with #MarineCommission
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers draft bill to reassemble Marine Commission, current commissioner voice concerns
The Lake Norman Marine Commission is slated to be dismantled by July 1. But some have safety concerns, so some lawmakers are stepping in. Lawmakers drafted a bill during a committee meeting last week to update and refurbish the old commission, creating a new one with more authority, according to Senator Vickie Sawyer. She told lawmakers that with the revisions, two counties would have to vote to dismantle the commission, not just one. It would also add four commissioners to the existing five. Channel 9's Hunter Sáenz spoke with Jeff Tarte, the former mayor of Cornelius and former state senator, who helped facilitate the bill and has lived on the lake for decades. 'This clarifies and adds specificity to the real authorities and responsibilities of the Marine Commission going forward,' he said. Still, current Marine Commissioners have concerns. Commissioner David Scott told Sáenz last month that he has concerns, including lake safety, water quality, and maintenance. 'The Wild West, deaths will go up, I believe,' Scott said. He also questioned law enforcement's ability to patrol, worried about jurisdictional boundaries. But Tarte said patrols will remain in place. 'Everything will be fine, even if the marine commission didn't exist,' he said. 'Their ability to patrol the lake changes not one iota.' If the bill passes, the counties surrounding the lake would still need to work together to form the commission. Tarte said he hopes that could happen by July 4. 'The main thing is, most of it is common sense,' he said.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Uncertainty looms over Lake Norman patrols as Marine Commission set to dissolve June 30
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Concerns have been raised over who will patrol Lake Norman after Lincoln County Commissioners voted to dismantle the groups responsible for its safety. The group is expected to stop working at the end of June, days before July 4. Last year, Channel 9 investigated big problems on Lake Norman. Illegal charter and rental boats that either did not have the proper permitting or a hired captain. In one case, someone drowned. Now, the group that pushed for tougher regulations and zero drownings will soon cease to exist. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lincoln Co. commissioners vote to leave Lake Norman Marine Commission Lincoln County Commissioners voted Monday night to withdraw from the Lake Norman Marine Commission. Since each member county contributes $37,000 annually to the Marine Commission budget. If one county withdraws, the whole commission dissolves. 'Right now, this looks bad; it smells bad that the marine commission is going to disappear after 65 years,' said Mecklenburg County Representative John Johnson. 'We didn't think they would actually do it." From navigation markers to free life jackets to fighting toxic algae blooms or lake weeds, Johnson said the commission has played a vital role. 'We regulate the lake with our charter boat regulations and our rental boat regulations,' said Johnson. However, Lincoln County residents who support the withdrawal share the same opinions as their elected leaders. 'The Lake Norman Marine Commission has been ineffective,' said resident Brusant Sarter. 'The rental boats just kind of run wild, doing whatever they darn well please,' said Lincoln County Commissioner Bud Cesena. Johnson said he wonders what will now happen with a key part of law enforcement patrols in the area. 'Through the Marine Commission, the five law enforcement organizations have concurrent jurisdiction on the lake,' said Johnson. But Lincoln County leaders said they think there's a better way. It starts with Bill SB 697 in the state senate to recodify the Lake Norman Marine Commission. 'We think that part of the better way to do this is to dissolve ourselves from the current marine commission. So as the new one comes on board, it'll be fresh and new,' Cesena expressed. Yet some residents continue to remain skeptical about that. That bill is quickly making its way through committees. If it makes it out of the Senate, it would then go to the House. In the meantime, the Lake Norman Marine Commission, as we know it, is done on June 30. VIDEO: Lincoln Co. signals intent to leave Lake Norman Marine Commission
