Agency hears new plan to cut noise on Chain O' Lakes, Fox River
Speed limits on the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River may not come to pass anytime soon, but boaters who enjoy blasting down the river running their mufflers as loud as possible may want to tone it down in the very near future.
Fox Waterway Agency officials heard more ideas and reasons why there shouldn't be speed limits imposed on the Fox and Chain this year.
However, while a speed limit law may not come to pass, officials did say that things should be quieted down on the Fox River and that loud boats roaring above current noise laws need to stop.
The latest idea to stop the loud noise is to have people with loud, high performance boat engines pass a specific test when obtaining required boat stickers on the Chain O' Lakes.
However, Fox Waterway Agency Chairman Howard "Bud" Scott said that while the idea may be a good one, it cannot be put in place in time to stop the noise problems.
"I would like to see us concentrate on the enforcement of existing laws this year," he said. "I think making a decision on noise problems or speed limits at this point isn't the best move for the waterway."
This issue over speed limits and noise laws has been ongoing since complaints were received by the agency regarding the "River Shiver" -- a boat excursion held annually on the Fox River in October.
The agency fielded complaints that boats running the event were loud and reckless.
The complaints prompted some Fox Waterway Agency officials to look for ways to cut down on the noise that boats produce on the water.
One of the solutions was to potentially impose a speed limit on the Fox River and Chain O' Lakes.
However, over the course of three meetings, boaters have come out in droves to champion against the speed limit laws. Instead, they have urged police to use current laws in place to cut down on noise levels.
Another solution was to outlaw systems called "Captains Choice," where boat owners have the choice of running muffler pipes in or out of the water. If the muffler is run under the surface of the water, the noise level is significantly diminished.
The current laws state boats cannot be louder than 90 decibels when idling, and 75 decibels when operating at full speed.
Scott said officials will revisit the issue again during a meeting the second Thursday in April. The meeting will take place at the Fox Waterway Agency in Fox Lake.
"I think a quiet zone would be appropriate in certain areas," Scott added. "Specifically in the trench both north and south of the Johnsburg bridge. But, I don't think adding a speed limit law or additional laws for the noise now is a good idea."