Stansbury Lake remained a major talking point at the Stansbury Park Service Agency board meeting Wednesday night.
Board members approved the cost difference in upgrading the engine on its lake mower to a diesel engine, after the former has failed to work. The service agency board also approved language that could permit restrictions on fishing in designated areas on the lake.
Stansbury Park Service Agency manager Randall Jones said the old lake mower, which is used to cut down aquatic-based plant life, is also out of commission due to recurring hydraulic issues. The diesel engine for the new lake mower is expected to arrive before the end of the month and the installation costs will be covered by its warranty.
The delay in replacing the lake mower engine was the result of the lake mower manufacturer and engine manufacturer disagreeing on who should pay for it. Jones said the upgraded engine will cost $7,900 and has to be shipped from Canada.
The service agency board also discussed the old lake mower and whether it would be worth the cost of repairs, which could tally about $4,500. Jones said the old mower couldn’t be repaired and back in service quicker than it will take for the new mower to have the new engine delivered and installed.
After discussing possible fishing restrictions in popular swimming areas, the service agency board approved language that would allow for the establishment of restricted areas. Board chairman Neil Smart said the combination of people swimming and fishing on the docks behind the clubhouse create a situation where someone could be injured.
“While we don’t want to be completely restrictive with people fishing, we still want to kind of control it,” he said.
Jones said he hadn’t received any reports of swimmers being injured by fish hooks but said the conditions existed for it to happen.
“There are some days when there’s 12 to 15 fishermen out here and they’re casting around kids that are swimming,” he said. “Everyone’s having fun but it’s kind of dangerous.”
The additional language the board approved would prohibit fishing in restricted areas and require fishing be conducted in accordance with service agency rules. No areas have been designated as restricted yet, but the board did discuss the possible area that would be marked off for anglers.
The shoreline between the Stansbury Park Clubhouse outdoor restrooms and a point west of the new boat ramp was floated as the possible area that would prohibit fishing. Jones said the newly renovated shoreline has seen a lot of activity, especially on the weekends.
If that area is restricted to fishing, Jones requested the service agency put up signs that mark the boundaries of the no-fishing zone.
“If you want to separate fishing and swimming, and that’s your decision, then you have to have a rule and I have to be able to enforce it,” he said.
Smart also brought up the idea of requiring fishing permits to use the private, catch-and-release lake. Board member Mike Johnson said the fee shouldn’t be more than $5 to cover the cost of the waterproof permit and increased enforcement of the community’s lake use policy.
The permits would be an opportunity to educate users on where they would be allowed to fish, if a restricted area is created, Smart said. Residents wouldn’t need a state fishing license on the lake if the permits were approved.