Alabama governor signs boat ban law
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Gov. Bob Riley signed legislation that will ban new houseboats, and boats more than 26 feet 11 inches long that are rated for speeds over 60 miles per hour, from three lakes in east Alabama, the Associated Press reported in a story posted on the Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer Web site.
The ban covers Lake Harris, Lake Martin and Weiss Lake.
Riley’s spokesman, Jeff Emerson, said the governor signed the bill Friday, and considered that it passed the Legislature “overwhelmingly and that it’s designed to improve safety and the quality of life on the three lakes,” AP reported.
In one year, it would prohibit any new houseboats and any new motorboats longer than 30 feet, 6 inches from being put on the lakes. Those already on the lakes could remain, provided the houseboats have sanitation systems to prohibit wastes from being dumped into the lakes, according to the story.
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