I would like to thank Steve Shamion for his letter to the editor, dated July 14th, in response to the July 6th  “My Turn,” column I had written. Citizen input relating to the future of Cougar Bay is of importance to all of our citizens and our visitors as well.

 Since the logging/lumber mill activity has disappeared from Cougar Bay, a significant portion of the bay has become semi-open water. Full access to the entire bay is still restricted to a great degree by the boom logs circling the inner portion of the bay. These log pens defined storage areas for the different mills. The logs were sorted by species and grouped together as they awaited transport to the mills to be sawn into lumber. This activity provided many good paying jobs for our area.

 The bordering waterways were open to boating, fishing, sailing, etc., and one could circle the bay either from entry on the south side by Donovan’s Point or from the northern side coming past the yacht basin and circling around. The largest portion of the bay was reserved for the logging activities.  Yet many folks enjoyed the remaining water open to public usage.

 As Cougar Bay ponders changes, we need to carefully consider its options. It has been a safe boating haven for kayakers, canoeists, overnighters, and is becoming an area for beginners to learn to use small watercraft without the danger posed by larger and/or faster moving craft. Groups of people come into the bay, tie up to a piling or anchor and proceed to enjoy a pleasant swim without having to worry about powerboats speeding about.

 I agree that the dilapidated sets of pilings need to be removed but it is important to retain piling clusters (dolphins) serving as nesting sites for water birds. We need to establish a fund to allow replacement of those “bird houses.” Individual pilings that are still in decent condition are needed for the osprey, geese and other water birds as perching spots to get a needed rest from their “babies” or to scan the water for potential meals. Those individual pilings should pose minimal danger to boaters who are observing the “no-wake zone” restriction. As in any waterway, a skipper has the responsibility to navigate the craft in a safe and sane manner. 

 Cougar Bay needs to remain and to be clearly identified as a No Wake Zone.  With that clear designation, non-motorized watercraft, swimmers, anchored boats and “weekenders” can enjoy a portion of Lake Coeur d’Alene without the noise, bouncing wakes and inherent dangers posed by boaters in a hurry to get somewhere with little regard for others.

 Again I thank Mr. Shamion for his response and I’m certain we have more in agreement than disagreement and that we both love and want the best for our beautiful lake and the wild creatures that inhabit it.

 David Larsen (with an “e”, although my mother’s maiden name was Larson, so I guess I am David Larson-Larsen).

DAVID LARSEN

Coeur d’Alene