"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Interesting situation that could set some dangerous precedents.

A judge in Alabama is deciding whether residents living around a lake
can
decide what sort of watercraft will be allowed to use the lake.



*************

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A state judge could decide in a little more
than a month whether to uphold an Alabama law banning high-speed
cigarette boats and large house boats from three popular Alabama
lakes.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick heard the final
testimony Monday in a lawsuit challenging the law. He gave attorneys
for both sides 30 days to prepare proposed orders and said he would
rule shortly after receiving them.

In 2006, the Legislature passed - and the governor signed -
legislation that banned some boats from three Alabama Power Co .
lakes: Martin, Weiss and Harris, which is also known as Lake Wedowee.
Banned were cigarette boats longer than 26 feet, 11 inches and rated
for speeds more than 60 mph, and all new boats, including houseboats,
longer than 30 feet, 6 inches. Houseboats already on the lake could
remain, provided they had sanitation systems designed to prevent waste
from getting into the lakes.


Sounds like a law that's not quite focused.