Responding to the letter about Quiet Lake Nighthorse: Durango went to great lengths to appease all users prior to opening by requiring two no-wake days. The lake has been functioning well on all days, not just the no-wake days, with virtually no problems between users.
The lake is two miles from downtown and is not a natural lake. The lake is large enough for all types of users to enjoy. If natural and quiet is what you are looking for, get further from town.
I have always appreciated Durango’s culture of live and let live. We share the trails, we share the slopes, we share the roads even if we do not share the same interests.
This Quiet Lake Nighthorse movement is a slippery slope that could lead us to a greater level of discrimination, division and entitlement. Even if the statistics in the Quiet Lake Nighthorse letter are true, and only 6% of users are motorized, the city cannot afford to give up any opportunities to capture all the revenue they need to keep this lake open. They have always projected a negative budget for this resource.
The wakes created by motorboats are no larger than the natural ones caused by winds. This is not about wakes, this is about elitist behavior that should not be fostered. What is next? Maybe certain days where you cannot bring your barking dogs or loud kids? Let’s see if we can be a little more tolerate and much less selfish.
Jerry Olivier
Durango
