Proposed Rule Changes

1. Adding a speed limit of 40 mph during the day and 20 mph at night on the entire St. Croix South of Stillwater.

2. Adding a 20 mph speed limit between Stillwater and Arcola, redefine the existing slow speed zone north of Arcola to include reference to 15 mph, establish a 100-foot no-wake zone around non-motorized craft, and prohibit amphibious craft from driving onto publicly owned shore areas except at boat ramps.

3. Extending the current Prescott "No Wake Zone" to the point north approximately .8 miles beyond the current line and straight across the river to the Minnesota side.

These regulations are needed to alleviate the hazards and inconveniences of inappropriate anchoring, particularly considering the prevailing crowded boating conditions on the river.  They apply to all watercraft temporarily anchored in the Lower St. Croix River waters.  

4. Watercraft at anchor, including swing radius, must be: 

       (a) clear of navigation channels, officially-marked areas where anchoring in prohibited, and normal traffic lanes to marinas, docks, launching ramps, mooring buoys, designated anchorage areas and other regular boating destinations on shore or in the water; and 

       (b) at least 50ft. from shore, marker buoys, other anchored or moored watercraft, and structures in the water.

5. Each anchored watercraft must be secured by its own anchor.  Securing additional watercraft (rafting) is allowed only in an emergency.

6. The total of deployed anchor line and chain must be no longer than needed for safe and secure anchoring.

7. The following practices, if needed for safe and secure anchoring, are allowed only in area where they will not interfere with usual water surfaces uses: 

       (a) more than one anchor per watercraft; 

       (b) an offshore anchor for beached watercraft; and 

       (c) an intermediate float between a watercraft and its anchor.

8. An anchor attached to a floating marker may not be left for future use.

9. Anchored watercraft must yield to orders from enforcement and emergency officials to allow space and access for their operations.

Summary of proposed land use regulations

Meeting Notes from 10/15/03 St Croix Partnership Team Meeting in Hudson, WI

1. Bruce Ehlers' private personal introduction and discussion with Clarence “Buck” Malick before the meeting
1. Asked if we can Join the Partnership as a new group

                                                            1.    Buck's response was, " No new members at this time check after the 1^st of Jan."

2. Asked Buck, How does the process work for recommendations?

                                                            1.      Anyone can make a proposal that is then considered by the task force

                                                            2.      Public opinion is listened to but isn’t the final factor

                                                            3.      Team makes the final decision on all issues as to what’s recommended to the Commission

3. Team was formed to deal with land issues and was stuck dealing with the water issues

                                                            1.      “This is the last time we’ll have to deal with water issues since we’re voting on all of them tonight,” said Buck .

2. Meeting
1. Buck Malick is chairman for the meeting.

                                                            1.      Buck stated during the meeting, “I do not own a boat and don’t go out on the river much.”

2. Background offered by Buck to educate the group on the history of the Partnership Team

                                                            1.      Buck read a letter written by Steve Johnson (MN DNR) word for word including Steve ’s recommendation to visit the MNPBA.com website. The letter was originally sent to me and others and was distributed to the MNPBA members a week prior to the meeting. 

3. Presented a package to the Team for vote of 5 items to approve; ALL WERE APPROVED

                                                            1.      Above Arcola speed limit of 15 mph

                                                            2.      River-wide 100' NWZ - (Shore Activity Zone from the Printed Plan)

I.         A shore activity zone is needed to reduce boat speeds near shore to ensure the safety of swimmers and moored and beached boats and to prevent erosion. Boat speeds should be restricted to slow-no-wake within 100 feet of all shore, including islands, within 100 feet of swimmers, and within 100 feet of non-motorized craft and within 100 feet of occupied motorized craft not underway.

                                                            3.      Amphibious vehicles are not permitted to drive on any public property (beaches) except for boat ramps.

                                                            4.      40 mph speed day 20 mph nite Stillwater to Prescott  

                                                            5.      20 mph speed day and night Arcola to Stillwater  

4. The next items had to do with No Wake Zones

                                                            1.      Hudson NWZ – Not Approved

                                                            2.      Sunnyside NWZ – Not Approved

                                                            3.      Prescott NWZ – Approved  -  as to the Pierce County Sheriff’s suggestion of new diagonal line up to Hilton Street increasing the zone by around .4 miles according to their diagram, .5 by my estimate.  There were several votes taken on this issue with Buck miscounting on at least one occasion by more than 50% in favor of his position. When it was called for a hand count the result was over-turned by a real margin of 16 to 9 opposed to Buck ’s position.

5. The next item was the proposed anchorage restrictions. The Team recommended to send up to the DNR a recommendation to study the initial  proposal below, specifically as to the the “No Rafting” clause, for inclusion to the master plan:

                                                            1.      Watercraft at anchor, including swing radius, must be: 

I.         Clear of navigation channels, officially-marked areas where anchoring in prohibited, and normal traffic lanes to marinas, docks, launching ramps, mooring buoys, designated anchorage areas and other regular boating destinations on shore or in the water; and 

II.        At least 50ft. from shore, marker buoys, other anchored or moored watercraft, and structures in the water.

                                                            2.      Each anchored watercraft must be secured by its own anchor.  Securing additional watercraft (rafting) is allowed only in an emergency.

                                                           3.      The total of deployed anchor line and chain must be no longer than needed for safe and secure anchoring.

                                                            4.      The following practices, if needed for safe and secure anchoring, are allowed only in area where they will not interfere with usual water surfaces uses: 

I.         more than one anchor per watercraft; 

II.       an offshore anchor for beached watercraft; and 

III.      an intermediate float between a watercraft and its anchor.

                                                            5.      An anchor attached to a floating marker may not be left for future use.

                                                            6.      Anchored watercraft must yield to orders from enforcement and emergency officials to allow space and access for their operations.

Copyright © 2003 [Minnesota Power Boaters Association]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 13, 2010