"Operation Dry Water" To Focus On Area Lakes
KSAL Staff - Tue 08:04 AM 06/19/2012
Game Wardens and rangers will work together patrolling Kanopolis and Wilson Reservoir this weekend
Game Wardens from Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Park Rangers, Army Corps of Engineer Rangers, and Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers will join forces this weekend to enforce Boating Under the Influence and Driving Under the Influence laws as part of a national effort.
According to the Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Department, Kansas will participate in "Operation Dry Water".
Operation Dry Water is an education and enforcement weekend aimed at reducing alcohol and drug related accidents and fatalities both on the road and on the water. Held each year during the weekend before the 4th of July holiday, Operation Dry Water is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner organizations.
According to the agency, Boating Under the Influence, or BUI, is a primary contributing factor in nearly 1 in 5 boating fatalities nationwide. Kansas has gotten tougher in recent years in enforcing laws against this high-risk behavior.
This past month over a third of the Kansas Game Wardens were trained in new detection methods that utilize a standardized field sobriety test developed for marine use under a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard. Last year Kansas Game Wardens made 34 BUI arrest and 15 drug arrest.
The agency sends this message: Alcohol and boat operations DO NOT MIX. If you drive impaired on the road or on the water you will be arrested and face penalties that include fines, jail, and loss of boating privileges.
Game Wardens and Corps Rangers will work together patrolling Kanopolis and Wilson Reservoir on the weekend of June 23 enforcing BUI on the waters. KHP Troopers and Park Rangers will patrol the roads around these parks enforcing DUI laws.
This effort is timed to give BUI/DUI enforcement high visibility before the Fourth of July, traditionally one of the busiest recreational boating weekends of the summer.
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WangoTango
Tuesday 19 June 2012 08:33 Report this comment
1 in 5. What are the causes of the other 4. Shouldn't we dedicate a weekend to fixing these also?
BONEMAN
Tuesday 19 June 2012 09:36 Report this comment
1 drinking while driving, 2 not wearing a helmet, 3 not wearing a seatbelt, 4 not wearing a life jacket, 5 not watching out for turtles and armadilos..
ksfarmdude
Tuesday 19 June 2012 12:42 Report this comment
they should have called it operation wetback
gonnagetcha
Tuesday 19 June 2012 12:49 Report this comment
And they wonder why the parks arnt making any money. Nobody wants to go any more because the nazi's are on patrol.
WhoCares
Tuesday 19 June 2012 13:09 Report this comment
But if they call it "Operation Wetback", aren't they just out searching for illegal mexicans?
Iamgonnagetu
Tuesday 19 June 2012 13:11 Report this comment
We used to be able to go to the lake boat, camp out and enjoy ourselves without being harassed. Now we have lost that right. Both federal and state are crying they are out of money but somehow someway they find money to pay for these kind of things.
KSSimNut
Tuesday 19 June 2012 15:07 Report this comment
Despite what you say the lakes look pretty packed everytime I go out during the holidays. Those "Nazis" are the best thing to happen. To many stupid people. I come to the lake to enjoy myself. No have idiots wake the boat, drive over fishing lines in jet skis and certinaly not listen to a bunch of inebriated idiots scram and jam to music until dawn.