An informal public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division’s District 1 Headquarters to discuss the creation of a public seaplane landing base on Dewart Lake.
The DNR headquarters is located at 9822 N. Turkey Creek Rd., Syracuse, the site of the old fish hatchery.
According to Major Michael Portteus, support services commander of the DNR Law Enforcement Division, Dewart Lake had been the site of a private seaplane base on the lake for a number of years. It was closed last spring when the DNR began closing private bases. Some of those bases were converted to public bases. He also noted the state law and federal law regarding the bases were not in alignment.
According to Portteus the regulated length was to be one mile at the time the base was closed.
A petition was filed in March 2013 by Randy Strebig, president of the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, Fort Wayne. According to the request, the petition “is an extension of the most recent efforts and commitments to improve access to seaplanes” in the state by IDNR and INDOT Aeronautical, effective Feb. 1, 2013, to “reduce the waterway length required to establish certificated public seaplane landing sites.”
The petition is for public seaplane use and “is in order to provide more access for seaplanes in the state and as to not discriminate against this use of our public resources, the benefits are multifold and include, but are not limited to, “making our state more accessible and more attractive to all residents and nonresidents alike who wish to enjoy our waterways, spend their dollars and enhance the overall economic and character value” of the state.
Strebig additionally notes in the petition that the state is behind the majority of neighboring states in access. He also notes that by existing rule seaplane activity, once the aircraft is on the water, is limited and or regulated by boating laws, such as night operations would be prohibited due to the 10 mph restrictions sunset to sunrise.
Strebig also petitioned for a seaplane base on Barbee Lake, which was previously certified as a private seaplane base and Webster Lake. Action on these two are still in the review process.
Portteus noted being in receipt of a petition containing between 40 to 60 signatures of residents from Ken Brehop, president of the Dewart Lake Property Association, requesting the heaering.
Portteus noted 105 IAC 3-3-12 states public-use seaplane bases be inspected once a year and maintain compliance with minimum requirements. These include – usable area of at least 2,675 feet by 100 feet with a 200-foot diameter turning base at each end, which is included in the minimum length, and be of sufficient depth to permit safe operation; all approaches to the landing area clear of obstruction and any hazards, including underwater obstructions in the landing, approach, departure and taxi areas, be marked and clearly visible.
According to Natural Resources Commission Information Bulletin No. 22, the process for such petitions include review and evaluations by various divisions such as the aeronautics section of INDOT and divisions within the DNR. The DNR will consider hazard to safety or environment as well as impact upon public use and enjoyment. A public hearing is at the discretion of the DNR.
The informal hearing will be to obtain public input from all interested individuals.