HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 231 - Operation of Watercraft on Rum RiverORDINANCE NO. 231
CITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT ON THE
RUM RIVER IN THE CITY OF ANDOVER, MINNESOTA.
The City of Andover hereby ordains as follows:
Section 1. Purpose.
It is the purpose of the City of Andover to regulate the operation and speed of watercraft
on the Rum River. The limitations contained in this ordinance are designed to prevent
and limit the erosion which is occurring to the banks and shoreline of the Rum River
within the City of Andover. The heavy wake from water skiing, jet skiing and
speedboating creates wave action which is eroding the shoreline, banks and bluffs along
the river, is adverse to the public's interest in maintaining and preserving the shoreline.
People swimming, canoeing and using the river more passively are placed in jeopardy by
water skiing, jet skiing and speedboating. This ordinance is designed to protect the
health, safety and general welfare of the public.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases, when used in this ordinance shall have the meanings
set forth:
Person includes an individual, partnership, corporation or any body of
persons, whether incorporated or formed as association or not.
Ooerate to navigate or otherwise use a watercraft.
Watercra is as defined in Minnesota Statutes 8613.005, Subd. 18.
Slow -no -Wake the operation of a watercraft at the slowest possible speed
necessary to maintain steerage and in no case greater than five (5)
miles per hour.
Rum River that body of water which borders the cities of Andover and
Ramsey.
Section 3. Reeulations.
No person shall operate a watercraft of greater than a slow -no wake speed (five [5] miles
per hour) within the following slow -no -wake zones in the Rum River identified on the
attached map:
Zone Location (Mile Marker)
4.4- 5.2
The slow -no wake zone shall be in effect twenty-four (24) hours a day, all year.
Section 4. Exemptions.
Authorized resource management, emergency and enforcement personnel, when acting in
the performance of their duties, shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance.
Temporary exemptions from this ordinance may be granted to local, state or federal law
enforcement agencies.
Section 5. Markines.
The Anoka County Sheriffs Department shall be responsible for informing the public,
posting notification at all public accesses and marking or buoying all slow -no -wake zones
affected by this ordinance as necessary to give reasonable notice to the speed restrictions
established.
Section 6. Enforcement.
Primary responsibility for enforcement of this ordinance shall rest with the Anoka County
Sheriffs Department. This, however shall not preclude enforcement by other licensed
peace officers.
Section 7. Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor as
defined by State law.
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Section 8. Effective Date.
The effective date of this ordinance is thirty (30) days after its passage and publication.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover on this zothday of April
1999.
ATTEST:
Victoria Volk, City Clerk
CITY OF ANDOVER
E. McKelvey, Mayo