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Monday, November 17, 2008

Ind. Law - "It's the law" today examines Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park rules

Ken Kosky's "It's the Law" column in the NWI Times this week focuses on Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park rules. From the article:

About 3 million people visit the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park each year, but many of them unwittingly commit violations -- doing everything from feeding or harassing seagulls to illegally taking plants, firewood or driftwood. But the most common criminal offense at the National Lakeshore or State Park is underage drinking, officials said.

At the National Lakeshore, Superintendent Costa Dillon said one of the most common violations is operating a personal watercraft within 100 yards of shore. He reminds people that personal watercraft are not permitted along national or other shorelines from Michigan City to Gary.

Another common violation is the use of a metal detector. They are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Visitors can't pick flowers, plants or mushrooms. They can't feed, harass or kill wildlife. They can't take firewood, driftwood, rocks, beach glass or sand.

"Most of our regulations exist to protect the natural wildlife and plants," Dillon said.

People can take seeds, nuts and berries in "personal consumption amounts," Chief Park Ranger Mike Bremer said.

Alcohol is not permitted on the west side of the park, but is on the east. Dogs are not allowed on the beach west of the state park, but are allowed to the east, but they must be on a leash 6 feet or less in length. Fires are not allowed on the beach, but rather only in established campground fire rings or in cooking areas. Nudity is prohibited.

Possession of marijuana also is one of the most common criminal offenses at the National Lakeshore, Bremer said.

At Dunes State Park, Property Manager Brant Baughman said one of the most common violations is bringing alcohol into the park. Dunes State Park is the only state park to ban alcohol. The most common criminal offense at the park is underage drinking.

Another common violation is claiming to be an Indiana resident in order to pay the cheaper in-state entrance fee, but gate workers watch the license plates and violators are tracked down. The park is also cracking down on people who try to avoid the $2 pedestrian entrance fee by entering from an adjacent beach.

Baughman said visitors are not allowed to take plant material and can't even take firewood to use for campfires. The fallen wood is supposed to decay and become humus. Fires are only allowed in campground fire rings and in shelter fireplaces. Fireworks are prohibited.

Visitors can't feed, harass or kill fish or animals, but they can take mushrooms, berries and nuts.

Baughman said there are also common violations involving the lake. He reminds people they can't use flotation devices while swimming unless they are U.S. Coast Guard approved -- such as life jackets. People also are prohibited from using personal watercraft any closer than 100 yards from shore. And bathing suits must cover the buttocks and can't be transparent.

The state park does allow metal detectors between Labor Day and Memorial Day, but users must obtain a free permit from the park. Dogs are permitted, but must be on a 6-foot leash and must not be unattended.

Confusing, especially re mushrooms.

Another column in this series, "It's the law: Valparaiso officer debunks public intoxication myths" was published on Nov. 10th - the ILB missed it. It begins:

VALPARAISO | Police said there's a perception among bar patrons that it's better to drive drunk than walk home and risk getting arrested for public intoxication.

But that perception is just not true, a Valparaiso police officer said.

"The officer would much rather see someone walk home than drive, provided they can do it safely," Valparaiso police Sgt. Michael Grennes said.

Grennes said police officers generally don't arrest people for public intoxication unless they are belligerent or uncooperative, or if they are a danger to themselves.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 17, 2008 10:58 AM
Posted to Indiana Law