State Gives Ok To Jet-Ski Dock Dock Will Be Farther From Beach Than In Earlier Application

Over the objections of city officials, the state this week issued a permit for a personal watercraft rental dock along the floating boardwalk on the Coeur d’Alene waterfront.

Island Rentals’ 10-slip rental dock will be moored approximately 760 feet from the lake shore, farther away from City Beach and another public swimming area than it was on an earlier application filed by the Hagadone Hospitality Co.

Will Pitman, with the Idaho Department of Lands, signed the permit on Tuesday.

The City of Coeur d’Alene opposed the dock in its original location and has the same objections now.

“The jet ski dock would add to the congestion as well as putting a lot of inexperienced operators in this heavily used area,” wrote Doug Eastwood, the city’s parks director. He was not available for comment Thursday.

Island Rentals has operated a temporary dock along the boardwalk for the last three years with no accidents, officials say.

But the dock request drew controversy. The state received at least 10 comments opposing the dock and two in favor. Opponents cited the risk of accidents in the already congested area.

Sue Potter, secretary of the Inland Northwest Personal Water Craft Association, didn’t oppose or support the dock. But she warned that inexperienced riders can make rental operations risky without the proper training. “I would hate to see any type of preventable accident occur,” Potter wrote.

Supporters said the dock at its new location doesn’t pose a threat.

“The application, as amended, would appear to accommodate access and safety issues in a satisfactory manner,” said Howard Martinson, a member of Kootenai County’s citizen waterways board. He said he was commenting as a private citizen.

The permit can be appealed to the state Land Board.