Sheriff: No Coast Guard Needed

Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger isn’t happy that the U.S. Coast Guard insists that it has to issue permits for marine events on Lake Coeur d’Alene, such as the water leg of Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Wolfinger has written letters to members of Idaho’s congressional delegation, asking for their help in getting the Coast Guard to cede control to the local sheriff’s office in process marine event permits. Wolfinger writes: “The problem is that the nearest Coast Guard station is in Seattle, Washington, more than 300 miles away. Each year that Ironman has competed in Kootenai County, our Marine Deputies have provided the oversight for the swim portion of the event. We have never had a problem that needed the Coast Guard to intervene. If they actually show up for the event, it will be a terrible waste of tax payer dollars.” You can read Sheriff Wolfinger’s entire letter here.

Question: Do you agree/disagree with Sheriff Wolfinger’s point?