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Waldo Lake hearing
KVAL takes in the scene as Waldo Lake gets its day in court.
The Federal Courthouse is miles away from beautiful Waldo Lake but that's is where the popular recreation area's fate was debated Monday.
As passionate group of supporters showed up with boats and paddles to demonstrate in favor of the Forest Service's ban on gas powered engines on Waldo Lake. But a local man, Steve Stewart is suing, saying the forest service doesn't own Waldo Lake so it can't make the rules. The Forest Service is asking the judge to dismiss Stewart's lawsuit. However, the agency is still hesitant to claim ownership of the eight mile long, two mile wide lake.
"The authority to regulate the lake rests with the state of Oregon because the state of Oregon owns the lake," said Stewart.
"The ultimate question is, does the Forest Service have the authority to proscribe motor boats that would pollute the waters of this lake and allow people that need motors to use electric motors instead," said WELC Attorney Pete Frost. "And, I think the answer is absolutely yes."
Among the supporters of Stewart's attempt to keep gas powered motors at Waldo is the Columbia Seaplanes Pilots Association.
Judge Thomas Coffin has given the Forest Service two weeks to either claim the lake or say it belongs to someone else. The hearings will continue after that.