HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-06-02; City Council; 6624; Agua Hedionda Lagoon-request to speakCITY OF CARLSBAD
AGENDA BILL NO.
DATE: June 2, 1981
DEPARTMENT:City Clerk
Initial:
Dept.Hd.
C. Atty.
C. Mgr.
Subject:
AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON - REQUEST TO SPEAK
Statement of the Matter
A request has been received from William H. and Wendy R. Hill to speak
to Council regarding the noise level on the Agua Hedionda Lagoon,
(request attached)
Exhibits
1. Request from William H. and Wendy R. Hill to address Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
6-2-81 Council directed the Police Department to strictly enforcement the
noise regulations on the Lagoon, and to report back in 30 days.
4374 Adams Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
May 22, 1981
City Council
City of Carlsbad
1200 Elm Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Dear Council Members:
We request your consideration of the following matter.
The Problem - Excessive boat noise on Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
It has been our disturbing experience that there are a few
boats of the many that appear on this lagoon that are excep-
tionally and unreasonably loud. These few are typically driven
in a hot-rod manner - revving up and down to make as much noise
as the equipment can produce. The rocket-engine-shaped stacks
of some boats are obviously designed to trumpet exhaust noise
to the utmost.
Who is affected? A lot.
We live in a home that is close to the water so we probably get
the maximum intensity among homeowners. However, the boats
described above can be heard over 2 miles away. So the number
of homes bombarded with noise pollution is at least several
hundred.
What is the cause? Stacks.
We have observed that the loud boats are always inboards with
over-the-engine exhausts, generally large in size, some with
water flowing through, others apparently not. We have seen some
that looked like the loud ones, but were reasonably quiet. It
is rare that an inboard with through-the-transom exhausts is too
loud. None of the outboards have been loud.
What can be done?
a. Ban all boating. We would never endorse such a measure and
we hope that no action resulting from this would ever cause
such a ban. We like the boating and the skiing and the fam-
ily fun - it's just the excessive noise we don't like.
b. Limit speed. The speed limit is 45 MPH and further reduction
would impair water skiing. Furthermore, it wouldn't limit
noise since the above "pipers" can put out maximum noise
from a standing start.
c. Limit decibels of noise. We understand that the current
allowable noise level is 86 dB for older boats and 82 dB
for boats manufactured since 1978. While limiting the noise
level would seem to get at the problem directly, it hasn't
so far. As an example, on Mother's Day Weekend, Saturday,
May 9, 1981, we reported a loud boat and the Police Depart-
ment ran tests on it getting readings of 86, 89, and 92 on
three different runs. Note that sound intensity doubles
for every increase of 3 dB. So, 89 dB is twice the sound
intensity of 86 and 92 dB is four times the sound intensity
of 86. Officer Higgenbotham explained to me that he would
have to allow up to about 94 dB because (1) we don't have
an official test course laid out, (2) it would require two
officers, one in the boat and the other at the dB instrument,
and, (3) sound levels can be higher from a standing start
before adequate water is flowing through the mufflers. By
ear, I would say some boats exceed 100 decibels.
d. Limit types of mufflers. It appears to us that the most
practical control available is to ban the over-the-transom
stacks, water injected or not. This also eliminates the
problem of the driver who passes the dB test but later turns
off the water and increases the noise. Unfortunately, the
City Attorney, Mr. Biondo, tells us that the state will not
allow legislation governing types of muffling equipment.
e. Ban all inboard motor boats. If none of the above is prac-
tical or allowable, it appears to us that the only way to
get control of the problem is to take all inboards off the
lagoon. A less drastic action would be preferred but none
seems possible. However, something must be done about the
excessive noise that is disturbing the peace of hundreds of
people.
f. Protect ourselves from the noise. When we built our house
near the lagoon, we were aware of boat noise and have taken
all reasonable measures in construction including double-
pane windows, wall insulation, floor plan layout and sound
barriers. In spite of all these, the noise of some boats
is disturbing our peace even with all the doors and windows
closed. We believe we have done all we can at our end.
We believe that no one should be subjected to the excessive and
unnecessary noise of others. There is no need to have hot-rod
loud boats to have family fun on the water nor to water ski.
While the state may have an 86 dB standard, we argue that it's
not appropriate to apply that noisy a standard to a lagoon
within our city limits that is bordered by residential area.
We propose that the privilege of boating here be retained and
that that privilege not be abused by an excessively noisy few.
Banning the types of boats that are excessively loud (I.e. in-
boards) seems to be the only way to do it.
Respectfully ,
William H. Hill
Wendy R? Hill
• .r.vwv*-?.: '••-», * * '• •;27NAVIGATION CODEARBORSty or United Statewhile on official trthorized by the permr a race or regatta if aover the area where theentiorautfo$*CALIFORNIA BOATING LAW26&'
1
H
-
!
lil
!
i
.gg• •»•-
e•o•u
f>
g
^^t-31-,
O*rt
x
§
S
'a2
6
•gis
^"3SIo
aw«
IHOa«.co
215
o
£•oo_a'CoSV-ia
3
o
«ci*
rf^
TDOX
£OX.J
.8
'5
ti •easons.x
53:/i
5J
C3
X.a•ao
'3cr
tSc
c §0^a —
Ui Q,)
1j ^^
^^-s i
'> « «>o « 4,
^"1
^ S^-C rt p
c
c*B
1o•a
<u
ClJ
lowers, l•au
C3
'oSvta
TSCa
VI
1J3
£
Ml-at*.
CL. « r-> W•" ex, *^M .„ ^^ e/i
S'^S;'5 «c J3 «•> i!"" -n a c wJi^ a o_
.3 3 "g -g £
o "S :y o "S§g£aD
l_ a o 1J 1U^^ 2-£-£M bo^ _e ^.5 5 S^^1
3 3 S -s-a
i. i. 3 XfJO 0 a.:" «
ll!
.!2>
!i
8
j -§
|><
•" o±••3
ll4_t fljo^:c
"^
c_0
oflj
>>^3
-oO3 .
"* *-l.2 S
ij O
— oa °
c
motorboat \§
C)
"o ^'5 >c ito oC ">'5 2o ""i 3
0<*,
O
*£
n TJ
8.88-g
T4
yi-.
a>
CTI
Xu.•n3
?5
£O
^ o
-2 S
-0 o
§•£
S'S2 2
— •
XurtD
S
^ ^
u-.
"S
^om<*_0
(U
<-•
o
8, a noise levf-o>
*-«anuary•^ j.
_g £ioise levelspleasure mow
J2o3v>rmine- £
,2
CJ "'t-
a^CJ0uc.
'g
iJrf
. k-<
o
i
3•o1 O
.£
"^v
proceclurds3fi
"^>; O
XJ
'j*
. i«
&
^
iiii^liii rill
-i=a« g'l^sa^-ilS1 s-1^5'§H^sl§
rSj=^ I' «J a '-2 - -C E J! ^ « ' " c " S E r - S -:)• jl
!
j*a §
1200 ELM AVENUE
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008
TELEPHONE:
(714)438-5511
Citp of CarlSbab
POLICE DEPARTMENT
ATTENTION: ALL BOAT OWNERS AND OPERATORS •
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE CARLSBAD POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN
ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF HARBORS AND NAVIGATION CODE SECTION.654
WHICH STATES IN PART " THE EXHAUST OF EVERY INTERNAL COMBUSTION
ENGINE USED ON ANY MOTORBOAT SHALL BE EFFECTIVELY MUFFLED AT ALL
TIMES TO PREVENT ANY EXCESSIVE-OR UNUSUAL NOISE". -
IF YOUR BOAT IS FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, YOU MAY
BE ISSUED A MISDEMEANOR CITATION AND TERMINATED FP.OM THE USE OF
THE AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE VIOLATION IS
PROPERLY CORRECTED.
YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS.MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
,;.:Th CARLS9AO. CALIFORNIA 920C8 - '• ' • v ;%,.: k UnlW (4 .' I .-'"- ' '••"'"• ' v, (714)4384411
^' ';: ; .;. ~-fv--.- ' cttp of Carlsbab " ; ;- :
: . . POLICE DEPARTMENT ^
1) All vessels shall be currently registered and equipped as per
California Boating Law. (652 H&N) "
2) Water use permit required. (City Ord.)
3) $300,000 liability, co-insuring the City of Carlsbad required..
(City Ord.) ; - : . - . ••'.',.
4)' All'motorized vessels shall be effectively muffled. (654 H&JJ) '
5) No water skiing permitted between sunset and 8:00 AM. (11.24.025 MC) '-.;
• - * * • . •,.-'.-,.
6) The display of a red flag is mandatory when a skier is to be " ".
.started, down in the water and prior to landing. The flag must be
continuously displayed during the time the skier is in the'water,
and until the tow line is irttheboat. (11.24.080 MC) . . /
7) After landing skiers, the tow vessel must continue to be uncongested
area, out of the ski lanes, to pull in the ski line. (11.24.035 MC)
8) No vessel shall beach while dragging a ski line. (11.24.035) .
9) All vessels towing skiers must have an observer who is at least
12 years old. (658 H&M)
10) Skiers must wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.
. (11.24.030 MC)
11) No vessel shall overtake or follov/ in the wake of a boat towing a
skier at a distance of less than 200 feet. (11.24.035 MC)
12) Vessels starting from the shore must yield to ski boats approaching
. from the left.
13) All vessels shall maintain a counter clockwise pattern. Jet skis
. and similar devices may deviate from the pattern in the designated
area at the extreme, east end of the lagoon. (11.24.035 MC)
14) Bouys in the center of the lagoon indicate a sand bar. Operate
counter clockwise, between the end bouy and the shoreline. (11.24.075 MC)
15) Speed Limits:
MAX: 45 M.P.H. (11.24.022 MC) • .
MAX: 5 M.P.H. within the designated bouy and shore line. (11.24.020 MC)
5 M.P.H. between sunset and 8:00 AM. (11.24.025 MC.)' f.
16) No motorized boats allowed under Freeway 1-5 bridge. (11.2:4.080 MC)
17) No overnight camping. . (11.24.080 MC) - , . ' " '
18) No wind surfers, parasails allowed. (11.24.080 MC)
19) No swimming allowed. (11.24.060 MC)
20) All California Boat laws will be strictly enforced;
LRMDINSS
ONLY
WITHIN
SRMD BPiR
-/ .V" - CONTIMUIMS
SOUTH
' BERCH
o -BJ