Pateros proposes county code amendment

PATEROS – The city of Pateros is proposing an amendment to the Okanogan County Code (OCC) to allow boaters to access the estuary at Peninsula Park for ingress and egress to private docks.

At the regular council meeting last Monday, July 15, city administrator Jord Wilson explained that the existing OCC does not allow enough room for boats to use the estuary without violating buffer zones designed to protect swimmers from boat traffic. The OCC provision governing operation in restricted water area states “No person shall operate a vessel within 25 yards of a water area which has been clearly marked with buoys, skin-diving markers…”

“In an effort to increase swimmer safety the city has installed marker buoys and string-line buoys demarcating the designated swim area and providing visual cues for watercraft,” a parks report said.

Peninsula Park has been a designated swim site since the city was relocated and is the only such designated area in the city. Douglas PUD recently added a retaining wall to widen the beach along with ramps and stairs to make the site more accessible.

The city wants to amend the OCC to increase swimmer safety and maintain boat access to private docks in the estuary.

“The city would post signs from shore, and law enforcement would have clear guidelines on what should be enforced,” a parks report said.