Richard Kempf voices his concerns and objections to a seaplane base on Dewart Lake. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Will a public seaplane base be squashed, or move forward in the process before a final decision is made?

Residents of Dewart Lake and the petitioner, Randy Strebig, may know more in a month. Yet a final decision could still be six months to a year away.

An informal hearing on the petition to create a seaplane base on Dewart Lake was held Monday evening at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement District 1 headquarters in Syracuse.

Cameron Clark, director of the IDNR, will review the petition, various rules and regulations on public fresh water lakes and comments and concerns of the public before deciding if the petition goes further. He will ultimately have the final decision on the petition.

This was heard by approximately 20 individuals, mostly residents from Dewart Lake, during the hearing. Strebig’s request is on behalf of the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association to designate an area of Dewart Lake as a public seaplane landing base.

It is believed the base, designated by GPS coordinates only, could be in a north/south direction on the western half or east/west direction in the northern portion.

Strebig, who set the date for the hearing was not present. Contacted by phone, he told District 1 Lt. John Karris he was in Angola and had a different date written down.

Ralph Blust, lake resident, summarized the concerns of many that were voice during the 75-minute hearing: congestion on the lake, safety of users with two camps utilizing small boats by inexperienced operators and pollution brought to the lake by floats on the plane.

Major Michael Portteus, support services commander and boating law administrator, conducted the hearing. “No decision will be made here tonight. When he (Clark) makes a decision to send it on to (INDOT and) the FAA, I will mail a decision to those requesting notification.”

Portteus said he will not provide an opinion to Clark unless requested. Richard Kemp attempted to get Portteus’ opinion stating, “I’m under the impression you are an advocate about this.”

Portteus noted, “Strebig is passionate about (his hobby)” adding, however, that the petition was filed as Strebig’s role as president of an association on behalf of its members.

Kempf was the first to voice his objection to the petition referring to the two camps on the lake that offer kids opportunities to use small watercraft. He said it is an inappropriate place for a seaplane base given “the use of the lake.”

Jeff Kelsheimer, site manager for Camp Ella J. Logan, inquired about procedures for landing and take off, who has the right-of-way, what could be done to keep individuals from using the island owned by the camp. “My concern is people pay to utilize the camp, how it will affect our business?”

A group of 20, mostly residents of Dewart Lake attended an informal public hearing Monday evening to hear information about a seaplane base request. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Other concerns were noted by residents: nesting of bald eagles, potential introduction of invasive plant species and the congestion of the lake. It was also asked if the base is approved if helicopters could land.

Ken Brehaub, president of the Dewart Lake Protective Association, pointed out that, while the lake is listed as 551 acres, there is approximately 250 acres unusable for recreation due to water depth and the 200-foot idle areas around the shores. Due to this, the remaining acreage is highly congested.

Portteus noted the concerns will be directed to the appropriate individuals for responses. He also provided a history of private seaplane bases in the state and the closing of those bases last year due to regulation compliance. Dewart Lake was one of seven closed after a private base was on the lake for 12 years.

Portteus noted there are approximately 20 bases in the state today with the seaplane association making more requests. “To extrapolate that, the more places they have to land, the less you will see that often,” he said, explaining that there would be no buildings constructed. The “base” would be designated only through GPS coordinates. He also noted if lighted buoys or any type of maintenance would be required for the base to be allowed, the director would squash the permit.

Once Carter decides if the permit should go for further review, it will be sent to the Indiana Department of Transportation aeronautic division and FAA. Both agencies will make on-site inspection of the lake and area, sending recommendations back to Carter who will make the final decision.

While requests were made for Barbee Lake and Webster Lake, no informal hearing was requested, with those requests moving forward in the permit process.

(For a more in-depth account of the hearing, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)