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Sheriff's Office recommending the Board waive provisions of County Ordinance 12.64.040E, which prohibit the operation of a motorboat on the South Fork of the American River between the Chili Bar Dam and the confluence with the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, for the purpose of conducting a swift water training exercise in conjunction with California Department of Boating and Waterways for a period no longer than five days on dates to be determined during the summer of 2017. Make findings that swift water training of Sheriff Personnel will enhance the health and safety of the County's residents and that it is a good and sufficient reason to waive the provisions of County Ordinance 12.64.040E.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Sheriff Office recommends the Board approve the waiver of County Ordinance 12.64.040E in the specific instance referenced above.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
County Ordinance Section 12.64.040 states that due to the danger to swimmers and fisherman and the narrow confines of the water's edge, it is unlawful for any person to operate a motorboat on any portion of the South Fork American River between the Chili Bar Dam and the confluence with the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. However, the ordinance allows the Board of Supervisors to waive this provision on a case by case basis when it finds that for reasons of health and safety, economic well-being of the County, or other good and sufficient reasons as determined in the sole judgment of the Board of Supervisors.
The Sheriff's Office has two Personal Water Crafts (PWCs) for the purposes of providing patrol to the county's waterways, in addition to acting as rescue vessels. The operators of the PWCs are required to be trained on a regular basis in order to operate the PWCs in the various water environments located throughout El Dorado County. The Sheriff's Office will be conducting this training in coordination with California Department of Boating and Waterways, a professional w...
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