We are concerned that by paving this area they will eliminate a vital flood control outlet.  Many of us can recall when the whole conservation area was covered several feet deep with overflow water as far west as Finucane Farm. Remediation will be costly, maybe impossible.

The proposed parking lot will also add additional congestion to an area of E. Hayden Lake Rd. which is already difficult to get through in the summer months.  The problems will be magnified if excess boat trailer parking is allowed on the roadway. We are concerned that emergency vehicles trying to get to the east side of the lake would be further hampered by traffic snarls exacerbated by ingress and egress at the parking lot.

For residents that could be trying to flee from a wildfire on the lake’s east side the traffic gridlock could be deadly.

The new site will only accommodate forty trailers.  The city is planning auxiliary parking in a city owned parcel near the intersection of Strahorn and Honeysuckle Ave. with a shuttle back to the launch site.  That additional parking would accommodate thirty-four trailers.

The city has stated that they do not intend for this new configuration to increase the current number of boats launched into the lake.  We do not believe that the city has an accurate understanding of how many boats are launched from Honeysuckle.  Over the past 3 years the HLWA has distributed over 5,000 flyers on boat trailer windshields, and our daily numbers are higher than the city’s.  An accurate accounting would be necessary.

The launch construction at the new site also presents difficulties.  Honeysuckle Bay has recently been designated as a no wake zone for the enjoyment of non-motorized sports such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and swimming.  If a new boat launch were to be installed in the bay it would greatly diminish the tranquil experience for those wishing to participate in these non-motorized activities.  The city and some of the participants say they are committed to keeping as much of the Bay no wake as is possible.  We are skeptical that this can be achieved without buoy channels and strict enforcement.

Because of the shallow nature of the Bay at the dike, dredging would have to be done to allow for bigger boats.  There is speculation that driving piers and dredging the porous and fragile lake bottom at this location could increase the leakage from the lake into the aquifer, many of us are not convinced that the dramatic lower lake water levels last summer were due only to lower snowpack, higher temperatures and increased irrigation draws.  An increase in the water flowing into the aquifer is a possibility that should be taken seriously while further study is done.  Any action that could increase the current leakage should be undertaken with extreme caution and detailed study.

The HLWA has suggested that the city consider alternatives.  Board member Barb Neal suggested that the city add a splash pad/water park at Finucane Park, (which has ten acres,) similar to the one at McEuen park in Coeur d'Alene.  In Barb’s words, “there would be easy access and lots of parking for families wanting a water experience.”  In addition, shuttles could run from parking at Finucane to Honeysuckle Beach for those that want to go to the beach.  The idea of making Finucane a family recreation area and moving sporting events to Croffoot Field has long been in the City of Hayden’s Master Plan.

HLWA also feels that the city should create the overflow parking area for boat trailers at the city gravel pit now in order to get boat trailer parking off of Honeysuckle Ave. and expand the number of rigs that could park there.  The city could then reserve parking on Honeysuckle Ave for vehicle use only and create a safe walkway for pedestrians to use from their vehicles to the beach.