COEUR d'ALENE - Two community docks on Lake Coeur d'Alene near Black Rock Bay have been approved despite vocal opposition by neighbors.

Last week, Thomas Schultz, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, approved an encroachment permit sought by the Lewis Dock Homeowners Association. Roger Anderson, a resident of the Boise area, is the president of the association.

The permit was approved with routine stipulations that there be a minimum disturbance to the lakebed during removal of the old docks and construction of the two new structures.

The two community docks contain 2,508 square feet of space and extend approximately 85 feet onto the lake from the high water mark.

The two would each have six slips, all measuring 12 feet by 30 feet.

The four parcels dedicated to the docks have a combined 360 feet of contiguous shoreline.

The applicant's attorney, John Magnuson, said Monday that each of the four lots is allowed to have a 700-square-foot dock - without a public hearing. Instead of 2,800 square feet of dock space, his clients sought only 2,500 square feet.

"Based on objectively shown evidence, IDL has previously permitted no less than 30 encroachments of a community nature on Lake Coeur d'Alene that are more intensive in scope and use than this one," Magnuson said.

Critics said the docks would diminish safety and lead to more large waves and increased congestion. They also opposed a large associated cabana at the shoreline, and suggested the docks and cabana were linked with the Black Rock development. Magnuson has said the project is not associated with Black Rock.

A public hearing on the docks was conducted in April at the department's Coeur d'Alene office. Eric Wilson, the hearing coordinator for the department, recommended approval of the docks on May 19.