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MAXUM · 05-12-2005, 08:04 AM

State studies speed limits on largest lakes
By PAULA TRACY
Union Leader Staff

The state's six largest natural lakes could get speed limits under a proposal being studied this summer.

A proposed bill that seeks a 45 mph daytime and a 25 mph nighttime limit for Lake Winnipesaukee could be amended to include Winnisquam, Sunapee, Ossipee and Newfound.

Squam the only lake that currently has speed limits would maintain its daytime limit of 40 mph and nighttime limit of 20, under a proposed amendment to House Bill 162.

The New Hampshire Lakes Association, representing more than 13,000 lake enthusiasts from 145 member associations, wants to see the measure include the six big lakes, said Jared Teutsch, NHLA's environmental policy director.

"Marine Patrol is already on those lakes (in boats) and it would make the enforcement issue easier if they handled the multi-community lakes the same way," Teutsch said.

But the head of the state Department of Safety Division of Marine Patrol is opposed to the bill, arguing it is unenforceable and selective.

"This is feel-good legislation," Marine Patrol Director David Barrett said yesterday. "The proponents are being disingenuous. This is exclusionary and being used to get rid of a kind of boat they don't like."

He said speed limit advocates are targeting performance speed boats, also known as off-shore or "cigarette" boats, which can go faster than 90 mph.

"They are wrapping themselves in a flag of safety and pointing at me as anti-safety. They are not being honest," Barrett said. "They can't give us any statistics to show that this would make a difference."

Focus on Winnipesaukee

The new chairman of the House committee considering the bill said he doesn't see any reason to amend the bill to expand the speed limit to other lakes.

Rep. David Currier, R-Henniker, took the helm of the House Resources Recreation and Development Committee last week. The panel has retained the bill for study this summer and had tentatively planned three public hearings on Winnipesaukee during July and August.

But Currier, who voted to kill the bill as a committee member, said he does not see the need for three hearings; one might be enough, he said.

Currier, who is an auxiliary marine patrol officer on Lake Massasecum in Bradford, said he does not see a conflict between this volunteer post and his chairmanship of the legislative committee.

"I do not take orders on legislative issues from director Barrett," he said.

05-12-2005, 08:04 AM	#96
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	State studies speed limits on largest lakes State studies speed limits on largest lakes By PAULA TRACY Union Leader Staff The state's six largest natural lakes could get speed limits under a proposal being studied this summer. A proposed bill that seeks a 45 mph daytime and a 25 mph nighttime limit for Lake Winnipesaukee could be amended to include Winnisquam, Sunapee, Ossipee and Newfound. Squam the only lake that currently has speed limits would maintain its daytime limit of 40 mph and nighttime limit of 20, under a proposed amendment to House Bill 162. The New Hampshire Lakes Association, representing more than 13,000 lake enthusiasts from 145 member associations, wants to see the measure include the six big lakes, said Jared Teutsch, NHLA's environmental policy director. "Marine Patrol is already on those lakes (in boats) and it would make the enforcement issue easier if they handled the multi-community lakes the same way," Teutsch said. But the head of the state Department of Safety Division of Marine Patrol is opposed to the bill, arguing it is unenforceable and selective. "This is feel-good legislation," Marine Patrol Director David Barrett said yesterday. "The proponents are being disingenuous. This is exclusionary and being used to get rid of a kind of boat they don't like." He said speed limit advocates are targeting performance speed boats, also known as off-shore or "cigarette" boats, which can go faster than 90 mph. "They are wrapping themselves in a flag of safety and pointing at me as anti-safety. They are not being honest," Barrett said. "They can't give us any statistics to show that this would make a difference." Focus on Winnipesaukee The new chairman of the House committee considering the bill said he doesn't see any reason to amend the bill to expand the speed limit to other lakes. Rep. David Currier, R-Henniker, took the helm of the House Resources Recreation and Development Committee last week. The panel has retained the bill for study this summer and had tentatively planned three public hearings on Winnipesaukee during July and August. But Currier, who voted to kill the bill as a committee member, said he does not see the need for three hearings; one might be enough, he said. Currier, who is an auxiliary marine patrol officer on Lake Massasecum in Bradford, said he does not see a conflict between this volunteer post and his chairmanship of the legislative committee. "I do not take orders on legislative issues from director Barrett," he said.