New Kent water-skiing ordinance’s history may affect future decision on issue

During the July 7 regular meeting of the New Kent Board of Supervisors, two citizens asked county leaders to consider changing a 30-year ordinance that prohibits water-skiing on Chickahominy Lake. And while county attorney William Hefty said the ordinance was completely legal, logistics of the shape and size of the lake may factor in an ultimate decision to lift the ordinance.

Supervisors sat down at a July 28 work session to discuss the ordinance. Looking to get a better grasp on the history they asked Ed Allen Jr., who served as a county supervisor in 1979, to give them insight on the law that was implemented more than 30 years ago.

“Back in 1979, the game wardens of Charles City and New Kent agreed it was too dangerous to waterski on the area,” said Allen. “The water level was not too deep then and even today, it’s even shallower.”

Allen handed a petition with 377 signatures from boaters and campers from Ed Allen’s Campground and Eagle’s Landing, two properties that are located on the lake. The former supervisor commented about the difficulty of water-skiing in the compact area.

“Between the campground and Eagle’s Landing, we put about 100 boats in the water each day and about 150 in the lake each weekend,” continued Allen. “You could probably only water ski from the dam to Eagle’s Landing.

“It’s not like the Chickahominy River where you have 20 miles,” he continued. “That area is just too small. Even on the Charles City side, it’s narrow.”

Currently there is no law to ski on Charles City’s portion of the lake, but skiers can be ticketed upon crossing New Kent borders.

“It is a real safety concern to me and I just can’t see anybody water-skiing in that vicinity without the potential for others to get hurt,” Allen concluded.

District 5 representative Ray Davis commented about the issue, saying the board needs to look further before making a decision.

“I know on weekends that area is packed,” Davis said. “With Colonial Downs closed, it’s probably the area in the county that is bringing in the most revenue.”

If the ordinance is recommended to change, it will have to head to public hearing according to county administrator Rodney Hathaway. No timetable has been placed on a decision to be made on the issue by county leaders.