re: Natural
Resources Commission Rulemaking Docket.
I sent the
following letter to the Natural Resources Commission regarding proposed rule
changes for a rule titled, "Alcohol in Indiana Dunes State Park," (LSA
#16-369).
Please read my
letter and if you wish to comment too, do so online at
www.in.gov/nrc.2377.htm or
write to them at: Natural Resources Commission, Division of Hearings, 100 N,
Senate Ave. Room N501, Indianapolis, IN, 46204-2200. A public hearing will
probably be in November.
I was a member of
the local Alcoholic Beverage Board that denied a permit for Pavilion
Partners after public hearings and the State ATC also voted to deny a
permit.
At the time of our
local hearing, I was concerned about the beach area due to language
permitting sales within 100 feet of the main parking lot at the pavilion
area as well as limited, if any, law enforcement for this Park.
Even the Dept. of
Natural Resources director stated there were only two officers per day
assigned to the park and sometimes less. This leaves a minimum of eight
hours a day with no coverage meaning local police services must respond.
If local services
are responding in these cases, problems have already occurred because there
was no deterrent on-site.
At the time,
Pavilion Partners stated they would pay for security at events however,
after seeing the rest room facility they built and are supposedly
maintaining, I seriously doubt they would as they fail to see a urine and
feces contaminated floor as a problem.
If I am reading
this rule change correctly, there is no limit to alcohol possession or
consumption areas other than the youth tent camping sites and the beach.
Again, I question
how and where the swimming beach begins and do you intend to allow all the
dunes and hills and forested area to become party city.
Even Pavilion
Partners agreed in our hearing Dunes Park was a unique area. Destroying
unique areas such as this is not part of your job. Protect it.
Ralph Levi