Lake Norman Marine Commission gave away life rings

May 7. By Dave Yochum. The NC Senate’s State and Local Government Committee has unanimously approved updated statutory legislation that would reconstitute and improve the Lake Norman Marine Commission. It adds “clarity and specificity to the old outdated session law,” according to former NC Sen. Jeff Tarte, also a former mayor of Cornelius.

Based on today’s committee hearing in Raleigh, he anticipates the legislation “moving expeditiously” through the North Carolina General Assembly to ratification.

Jeff Tarte

Background

Tarte is mediating the various parties involved in the Lake Norman Marine Commission dispute.

Lincoln County Commissioners voted Monday night to withdraw from the marine commission. Based on its 65-year-old charter, If one county withdraws, the commission itself dissolves. That happens June 30.

Tarte says the LNMC won’t go away permanently. “It’s taking a brief staycation,” Tarte said, explaining that legislation can be passed in a matter of days, well before June 30.

Quotable

“That is a parliamentary procedure lesson in and of itself,” he said. “If it passes here, then onto the House for consideration. This could be ratified and codified much faster than I imagined.”

Even if the LNMC is dissolved it will have no impact on how the law enforcement agencies will continue to patrol the lake, Tarte said.

“The law enforcement agencies have a one-mile rule from the shoreline as well as have mutual aid agreements to assist each other. Everybody is covered,” Tarte said.

Click here for more background.

Lincoln County statement on LNMC:

“The Board of Commissioners has been dissatisfied with the current Lake Norman Marine Commission’s regulatory oversight, or failure thereof, and the Board intends to work with State legislators and community stakeholders to codify and reestablish an improved and effective Commission. We believe more can and should be done to protect watercraft users, fishing activities, families, and visitors enjoying the lake. The Commission also serves a purpose of protecting the marine life, and environmental quality on the lake. Our goal is to see a reestablished Lake Norman Marine Commission in the near future that meets the current challenges facing Lake Norman. Rest assured that dissolution of the Commission does not have an effect on the authority of law enforcement agencies, first responders and N.C. Wildlife to police the lake, and to protect those on the lake.”