ALERT:  LATE BUOY PLACEMENT

AS OF MAY 29, 2018 BUOYS ON BURNTSIDE LAKE ARE NOT IN PLACE. 
The following message was received by Ward Nelson on May 29, 2018 from David W. Phillips, Undersheriff, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office: 

“Hi Ward-
Per our conversation, I have instructed Timbuktu to place buoys commencing tomorrow and this should be completed prior to this coming Saturday.  A delay in the rollout of the 2017 Federal Boating equipment grant as administered by the MN DNR led to the delay getting buoys from our supplier.  We had hoped to place new equipment at the outset.  Once these new buoys arrive, Timbuktu has been instructed to change out the older /temporary buoys.
 Please feel free to give me a call with any questions or concerns.
Thanks
 David W. Phillips – Undersheriff ”

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office
100 N. 5^th Ave W. Room 103
Duluth, MN  55802
218-726-2339

The buoy placement delay was not the fault of Timbuktu who has the buoy placement and removal contract.    Buoys get damaged and normally 20% of them are scheduled to be replaced with new ones.  Unfortunately, this year the funding for the new ones was delayed.  A decision was made to not put some of the buoys out for fear that boaters would have a false sense of security, thinking all buoys were in place.

The Burntside Lake Association has been working with all concerned to resolve this dangerous safety issue.  As of May 29, 2018 we have been assured by the Sheriff’s Office that the contractor will place all buoys (even damaged ones) before this coming weekend.  Funding has been secured to replace the damaged buoys when the new ones arrive, hopefully in June.  Two accidents have been reported involving boats hitting rocks under the surface that would have been marked by a buoy.  Fortunately, no injuries were incurred but damage was done to both boats.