Missouri State Representative David Wood, R-Versailles, said it is his intention to introduce a legislative bill that will offer a solution for problems created by large wakes that result from boats traveling at high speeds on Lake of the Ozarks.
"I am working on a piece of legislation addressing the problems created by boat wakes," Wood said. "But, I will not release any of the details of that bill until it is completed and ready to introduce (to the Missouri House of Representatives)."
Wood said he is working with several groups, including the Highway Patrol Marine Division, local residents and others, to make sure the final bill will be "something that can be enforced."
He said he expects the bill to be completed around the time the next session of the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 6, 2016.
In the meantime, State Representative Diane Franklin, R-Camdenton, is also working with several Lake Area groups to form a committee that will look into solutions to problems caused by boat wakes.
The problems of large boat wakes, electrical wiring on docks and fire protection regulations for multi-family housing units were all subjects advanced by members of the public during a town hall-type meeting hosted by the legislators Nov. 4.
A standing room only crowd showed up for that meeting, held at the Osage Beach City Hall council chambers. While a majority of the audience members said they were there because they were concerned about problems caused by boat wakes, there were also several who expressed concern about several recent deaths by electrocution resulting from bad wiring on docks. Some members of the audience also expressed concern about current fire suppression standards for older multi-family dwellings such as condominiums and apartment buildings.
"I am working with the Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council to form a committee that will look at what can be done about wakes that will be of benefit to both boaters and dock owners without creating problems for local businesses or making rules that will be impossible for the Patrol to enforce," Franklin said. "I realize that large boat wakes are a real problem on the Lake, but our goal has to be making the water as safe as possible for all those who use it without creating insurmountable problems for the business community."
Franklin said she believes any "acceptable" solution to the problems caused by large wakes will by necessity involve "compromise by all the interested parties."
"That's why I want to form a committee that includes a representative from each of the stakeholder groups to come up with a solution that everyone can live with," Franklin said.
Franklin said while she understands the frustrations of those affected by wakes, she is also concerned about placing restrictions on community events, such as the Shootout, built around high speed boat racing.
"I believe if we can make up a committee to address the problem by including a representative from all the affected stakeholder groups such as the Water Safety Council, the Highway Patrol Marine Division, the Marine Dealers Association, Ameren Missouri, the National Association of Boating, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and so forth, we can come up with a solution everybody can live with," Franklin said.
As to regulations governing electrical wiring on docks, as well as fire codes for land-based multi family dwellings, Franklin said she believes those are issues best left to fire protection districts, Ameren Missouri, building code inspectors and other enforcement officials that are more versed in those safety issues.
"Any regulations governing fire codes for multi-family dwellings and/or electrical wiring for docks will involve tightening current codes, installing safety equipment and having inspections done on a more frequent basis," Franklin said. "Any changes that are made in those areas must, by necessity, be made by experts in the field if they are to be enforceable."