Response to lake vending urged

Public concern for shoreline and lake vending may be waning, but the organization in charge of the permit process wants residents and vendors to know they can still voice their opinions.

In hopes of shedding light about vending and the permit process, the Bureau of Land Management hosted an open house and meeting Tuesday evening at the Lake Havasu City Parks and Recreation Department Aquatic Center. BLM officials said the turnout was light, but they are urging the public to respond to get a better idea of what direction is best for the city.

“We heard from people at the meeting but we do want to hear from the public as well,” BLM Lake Havasu Field Manager Ramone McCoy said. “It’s really important for us to get feedback from residents as to their opinions about this.”

McCoy said she wants to hear from all sides because “if we just hear from the vendors, it gives us a one-sided opinion” and if only the people against vending respond “that also gives us only one side and we want all sides.”

Attendees also discussed the Environmental Assessment outlining vending on Thompson Bay, which reviews areas that would be able to accommodate commercial vending on the water in support of the recreation experience and opportunities of the area, McCoy said.

“We explained that when we do a public comment period, we do that whenever we feel there might be controversy associated with permits,” she said. “A public meeting is not a requirement but we felt it was necessary with all publicity that was associated with vending on the lake.”

The BLM holds exclusive rights to the land below 450 feet. The City Council voted to deny access to two shoreline vendors for Rotary Park Beach in January after several citizens voiced concern during a regular meeting. BLM officials have said they will honor that decision and not issue any permits for shoreline vending on city-owned property. Other areas, such as Picadilly Point, are still an option, McCoy said.

“(Picadilly Point) is within the area under consideration under the environmental analysis for Thompson Bay,” McCoy said. “That is, in a sense, covered, although it is not named specifically in the assessment.”

The Environmental Assessment outlining vending on Thompson Bay is available to the public and the public review and comment period will extend until April 2, BLM officials previously stated. The document is not final and is currently a draft for public review, Assistant Field Manager Mike Henderson said.

“There is a lot of misconception about why it takes the BLM so long to complete this process,” Henderson said. “Typically, it’s a 180 day process and the environmental review process takes about 80 percent of that time. We need to review what is being proposed, what type of impact if any it will have to natural resources, socio-economics of the area, wildlife, air quality and water quality. The other 20 percent is the administering of the application and processing it.”

Once the public comment period concludes for the Thompson Bay Environmental Assessment, BLM officials will begin allowing or denying permits most likely within the week of the completion, Henderson said.

Lake Havasu City resident Barbara McIntire said she hopes vendors are allowed back in at least some capacity on the shores and in the water.

“I think they do need some kind of vendors down there and I think they should have at least one on each beach,” McIntire said. “Now that they’re not there, I’m supposed to have to take my boat out of the water, call up a place, drive to their place and then drive back down to the water just to have a good time on a (personal watercraft). That is so tough on people that want to do it and the vendors who are trying to do provide a business.”

Chad Whetten, of Whettrods Jet Ski rentals, said he’s hopeful the BLM will receive word that vendors are needed back on the beaches and in the water.

“I think it’s a great market that’s not being utilized,” Whetten, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen and I guess we’ll wait until (April 2) to find out. (BLM officials) acted like they wanted to do it and acted like their willing to work with us on it.”

Whetten said the Thompson Bay decision might be the last option for vending in the city.

“We’re trying to get in Thompson Bay because everything else is so limited that if it’s not in Thompson Bay, it doesn’t work,” he said.

Henderson said BLM officials would continue to consider other possible permits in areas such as private property lots or state-owned lands in the future.

“Once we get this portion done, BLM is going to be looking at more activity on the lake,” he said. “We will be looking at other operations but it all depends on the response we get from the public.”

While the public comment period ends on April 2, BLM officials said they could submit written comments on the Environmental Assessment to the BLM by April 9. Comments may also be faxed to 505-1208 or e-mailed to lake_havasu@blm.gov. Copies of the Environmental Assessment and information can be obtained online at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/fo/lake_havasu_field.html, by contacting Henderson at 505-1200, or by visiting the Lake Havasu Field Office at 2610 Sweetwater Ave.

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com