Shoreline Protection

Program Updates

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Coeur d'Alene Tribe Lifts Encroachment Moratorium as promised the Coeur d'Alene Tribe has sufficiently inventoried encroachments on Tribal Waters and is now in a position to lift the temporary moratorium placed in April of 2003 on new dock development.

The purpose of that inventory was to describe the current conditions so that the Tribe may move forward with developing a long-term strategy for managing the growth of private structures on Tribal Waters in a manner that is protective of the Lake, human health and safety, assuring all docks are in good condition and enhance property values. As Phillip Cernera, the newly appointed Lake Management Director states, "The Tribe never intended to eliminate the public enjoyment of the Lake, we did however, believe that both the public safety and ecological impacts, due to encroachment development should be evaluated before continuing to permit new encroachments." Information collected during the inventory included: type and condition of dock floatation and decking, number and condition of pilings, size and configuration of dock, number of slips per dock, and dock density. Additional information collected regarding commercial operations, boat garages, and floathomes included: water use, septic system construction, and the storage and use of petroleum and other hazardous chemical products in the vicinity of the Lake.

An additional task outlined to be completed prior to lifting the moratorium was the development of formal Encroachment Standards relevant to all encroachments; docks, floathomes, boat garages, etc. within Tribal Waters on Coeur d'Alene Lake. Through a cooperative effort with multiple impacted lake user groups including local homeowner associations, realtor associations, commercial businesses residing or working within Tribal Waters and state and federal government agencies the Tribe developed and recently adopted those standards. These standards will address all forms of encroachment on Tribal Waters, many of which were not yet identified and addressed in the interim standards in place during the moratorium. Applications for new docks will be accepted and approval will occur under the well-defined conditions outlined within the Encroachment Standards.

The Encroachment Standards and Encroachment Application can be viewed and downloaded through the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's website or by navigating to the following link http://www.cdatribe-nsn.gov/depts/lake/encro.asp. For any further questions or concerns please contact Mr. Jason Brown, Navigable Waters Specialist of the Lake Management Department at (208) 686-1118.

September 1st 2005

Private booms and buoys are considered an encroachment on Tribal Waters and are regulated by Chapter 44 of the Tribal Law and Order Code and any such encroachment must adhere to the guidelines outlined within the Tribal Encroachment Standards. As a reminder pursuant to Chapter 44.14.01 (A) (3) of the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Law and Order Code: (3) It is the policy of the Tribe to prohibit all private booms and buoys. Experience has shown that private buoys don't achieve the desired result of slowing down boaters and jet skis too close to shore or structures but actually create a navigational hazard for recreational boaters and especially fisherman. The shoreline is one of the main areas used in fishing activities and buoys produce many tangled fishing lines and also endanger boats recreating in near shore areas. Individuals not observing the 100' shoreline "no wake zone" usually are not deterred by a private buoy. Individuals recreating or enjoying the Lake observing such activities are encouraged to report incidences to the proper authorities. Unfortunately this is one of the unfortunate aspects of living along the shoreline of any lake and is not isolated to any one particular part of Coeur d'Alene Lake. As private buoys are found on the Lake adjacent land owners will be notified and a request will be made to have them removed. If after 7 days they are not removed the Lake Management Department will be forced to dispose of them.