Liberty Lake Ski Course Causes Stir Early-Morning Noise, And Impact On Lake To Get Public Hearing

A debate about how early in the morning is too early to use Liberty Lake is destined to be resolved at a public hearing.

The debate centers around a water ski slalom course on the lake’s south end. Residents and boaters have been at odds about the noise created by early morning boaters since the course was laid about three years ago. Some also are unhappy with the course’s location.

“One way or another, we’re going to have a public hearing,” County Commissioner Steve Hasson said.

During that hearing, residents will be allowed to voice their opinions about what hour of the day activity on the lake should begin and when it should cease. That hearing could come within the next two or three weeks, Hasson said.

In the meantime, users of the slalom course have sought a permit from the Department of Natural Resources to keep the course. As part of the permitting process, DNR officials will decide if they must move the course.

DNR has jurisdiction over the bottom of the lake and any structure that impedes movement on the lake, said Spokane County Sheriff John Goldman.

Once DNR issues a permit, the Sheriff’s Department will then perform a safety inspection of the course and issue its own permit, Goldman said.

Conflict arose after a resident who lives on the lake sent a letter to Hasson complaining about water skiers using the course too early. Noisy boats disturbed people as early as 5 a.m., the resident complained.

County noise ordinance prohibits unreasonably loud noises between 10 p.m. and a 7 a.m., with the exception of boats, Goldman said.

They are allowed to run a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset, making it legal for boats to be out at about 4:30 a.m. on days, such as Thursday, when the sun rose at about 5.

“That’s an issue that needs to be addressed before the next boating season,” Goldman said.

, DataTimes