One of the 2007 water safety legislation initiatives was adopted by the Iowa legislature and signed by the Governor. The crime of eluding a Lake Patrol officer is now a more serious crime – depending on the circumstances, it can be a felony.
Equipped each ambulance and law enforcement vehicle in the lakes area with water safety throw lines and Personal Flotation Device. Funding was provided by the Dickinson County Endowment Fund.
Designed, produced, and distributed a new water safety brochure using improved graphics to educate boaters and lake users about helpful water safety and water quality information. Funding provided by the BoatUS Foundation.
Recommended the DNR install lighted hazard navigation buoys on the Iowa Great Lakes. The lighted buoys were installed for the 2007 summer.
Conducted a fund raising campaign to fund water safety and water quality projects.
Built ten additional Information Kiosks at the busiest boat ramps in the Iowa Great Lakes area to provide water safety and water quality information.
Supported the second year Spirit of America hands-on Youth Water Safety Education Program for twelve-year old students. Camp Foster YMCA was the SOA program facilitator. Okoboji, Spirit Lake, and Harris-Lake Park schools participated. Read Spirit of America article in 2007 Vacation Okoboji magazine.
Continued the 2006 Aquatic Invasive Species program utilizing DNR Water Safety Officers at boat ramps to educate boaters and conduct inspections of boaters entering the Iowa Great Lakes.