COEUR d’ALENE — A recommendation to make the Spokane River a “no-pull zone” for boaters will be discussed today by Kootenai County commissioners.

The restricted zone is one of several boating suggestions commissioners will hear from the Kootenai County Waterways Advisory Board.

“I don’t think we’ll be making any decisions,” Commissioner Chris Fillios said Tuesday. “We’ve gotten so many letters on this topic — from basic enforcement to a no-towing zone to increasing the no-wake zones.”

Fillios said he doesn’t anticipate anything harsh on imposing new boater regulations.

“I don’t see any overarching ordinance,” he said. “There’s a lot of frustration. But I’d like to take a look at enforcement first.”

The recommendations are in response to concerns from some property owners along the nine-mile stretch of river who have long voiced concern over large wakes that cause damage to docks and shoreline erosion.

“The county already has a no-pull zone on the Coeur d’Alene River and this would be similar to that,” Sheriff’s Lt. Ryan Higgins said.

During a meeting earlier this month, the advisory board accepted a recommendation from the sheriff’s office to more specifically define excessive wake “as any visible track of turbulence created by the movement of a vessel through the water that causes water to lap onto or over a dock, pier or other legally authorized structure on the water or exceeds 24 inches in height.”

Commissioners are expected to take action on the new definition when they meet at 2 p.m. at the administration building, 451 N. Government Way.

The problem boils down to enforcing the county’s vaguely worded boating ordinance as it pertains to boat wakes, Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said.

As written, the law prohibits “excessive, dangerous or damaging” wakes. But that’s up to interpretation from law enforcement.

“It’s darn near impossible to enforce,” Wolfinger said.

Despite the winter weather, Wolfinger urged officials to act swiftly. Any possible changes to the waterways ordinance would require legal review and public hearings with county commissioners, who ultimately have the authority to enact new ordinances.

Also today, commissioners will consider a recommendation to place stricter regulations on the age at which youths can operate a boat in the county.

Currently, anybody at least 14 years old is allowed to operate a boat of any size. The board will consider requiring boater education classes for boaters under 16 years old. Youngsters 12 to 14 years old would not be allowed to operate a boat over 15 horsepower, Higgins said.