lake diving permits

[Hydro]

"Use of Underwater Breathing Apparatus – It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to use scuba diving, aqualungs, or any other underwater breathing apparatus or equipment in any park waters without first obtaining a permit from the park and recreation board or its proper officers.  To obtain a permit, please fill out our permit form. It is $35 per day to obtain a permit (link to PDF on page 75)."


● Lake Calhoun ● Lake Nokomis
● Cedar Lake ● Lake Hiawatha
● Lake Harriet ● Wirth Lake

$35 is bullshlt  :o

"Use of Unauthorized Beach; Swimming Across the Lake – No person or persons shall swim or bathe at any unauthorized beach or park water; nor shall any person or persons swim across any lake or park water unless accompanied by a boat and then only with permission from the park and recreation board or its proper officers. To obtain a permit to swim across the lake, please fill out our permit form. It is $115.00 an hour for the use of a boat and lifeguard in the boat as you swim."




any other lakes in minnesota that need a permit to dive in the water?

[LKunze]

Well put.  That must be new for this year.

[jleech]

I remember the old threads about this (and went and read them).  This ordnance has been on the books, but unenforced by the park board for a couple of years.  My guess is someone new went through the statutes, saw they hadn't updated the fees on scuba diving in a while, so upped the number, and made a reference to it on the web site.  The application reads like it's for a group outing, not indivduals.  I think it's $35 per group, not individual.  It still doesn't make sense unless they really just want to stop people diving in the city lakes.

Fortunately I have no desire to dive in the Mpls lakes.


As for other fees or closed lakes, the DNR web site has a listing of restrictions relating to all MN lakes  and rivers: Bloomington is listed as needing a permit to scuba dive.




Jeff

[Shooter]

"when scuba diving is outlawed than only outlaws will scuba dive"  Sounds like I just became an outlaw. Until today I had no desire to dive these lakes. They are on the list now >

Have gear assembled and ready, quick entry, periscope exit point.

[scubadog76]

I made some phone calls,..... The first one went like this:

Minneapolis parkboard: how may I help you? 
(SD76)  I wanted to get some info on diving in Minneapolis Lakes.
(mPB)  It's not allowed.
(SD76)  Since when?  There is even a form on your website
(MPB)  Hold on, I'll transfer you.........

Kenny G music playing..........

Minneapolis Aquatics center:  Hello-
(SD76)  I was trying to find out about scuba permits and the requirements within-
(MAC)  "you need a permit so we know which lake you are in"
(SD76)  Since when?  Just a few years ago, they did away with the whole permit thing.
(MAC) I think last year

I put a call into a couple of park supervisors that I dealt with a few years ago, and both were out or dodging calls.  I will let everyone know what happens so we can try to squash this crap once and for all.  The Park Board also has bi-weekly meetings that may be beneficial to have one large showing of divers to give positive input on the helpfulness of the dive community and their care of the lakes.  I hit these lakes about 3 times a week.  It would be a shame to lose them to uninformed powers. 

Fyi:  Cedar is bad vis, Isles is worse.  Calhoun will give you 10 to 15 feet in places, even in August.  It's nice not worrying about boats too.

More info to come>

[DiverQueen]

When is the next meeting?  We should all show up wearing wetsuits (or drysuits for those who dive dry),  with mask around neck and fins in hand!  Show them how many of us are ticked by this change of the rules!

If that doesn't work.....Wirth Lake is in Golden Valley!  ;D

[scubadog76]

As if the top of their org chart (above) doesn't say it all.

I will try calling again tomorrow

[DiverQueen]

Go to that "org chart" to the left is an icon that says "Commissioners"  That shows names and pictures of the commissioners as well as their phone numbers.....Time to fill their voicemail!!!! 

[scubadog76]

We don't want to do that quite yet :-\. 

We don't even know 100%, that there is a problem.  I have not been harrassed by the Park Police at all this season.  So far, the only issue is that the fee is listed on their website which was not there before.  It does not sound like they have been enforcing it, but judging by the phone call I made today..... It sounds like it kinda depends on who sees you.  :  If it turns out they are charging $35.00 a day, then it would be time to open the flood gates. > > >

That is more than a year of diving the madiera ???

4 years ago, When we were ticketed, the Park Board had things pointed the right direction after about a week of heavy pressure from the fine folks of MNscuba.  I don't see why this can't be resolved the same way.

Another pond I would like to free up-  Lake Elmo

I did not know this before, but Washington County charges $100.00 per year for a scuba permit. :o

Somebody has got to take these fee-makers to Superior, Wazzee or Crosby.  They may adjust their prices after that.

[SmithDiving]

I also put a call into the Mpls Park Board today.  The Aquatics Director wasn't in so I left her a message.  I'll let you know what I hear.  We haven't had any trouble diving Calhoun this year and I've even talked with a few Park Police on a couple of occasions at the dive site.  If they are going to enforce the permit rule, we'll just have to move our dives elsewhere.  Too bad, because Calhoun is a really fun lake.