Bill restores pre-1953 Lake CdA dock rights

BOISE – Legislation that passed a House committee Tuesday would restore for some North Idaho landowners the right to build docks on Lake Coeur d’Alene – something they lost when a lakeside highway pierced their property.

But only if they had that right prior to March of 1953.

HB 565, sponsored by six North Idaho lawmakers, seeks to settle an issue that now has one property owner suing the Idaho Transportation Department and has a half-dozen others in administrative appeals.

“They simply gave an easement across the property years ago,” said Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene. “I guess our feeling in bringing forth this legislation is not everybody should have to sue to use their property, as they’re having to right now.”

The ITD has objected to dock permit requests from various property owners, including several in the Silver Beach area, whose upland property is separated from Lake Coeur d’Alene by a highway easement. That road, which was once Interstate 90, is now Coeur d’Alene Drive.