Cops for Kids Coat Drive
She became all too familiar with the foster care system as a child. With a foster dad in law enforcement, combined with her years of service as a reserve deputy sheriff and dispatcher, that gave the mother and grandmother a unique perspective from the other side of the system. It was when GRDA Dispatcher Sarah Snyder had a personal encounter with a child without a coat on a cold winter night at a local school function, that she became determined to make a difference.
Last year she implemented a coats-for-kids program to provide winter wear for children that are brought into the DHS child welfare system. These kids are often removed from a dangerous environment within a matter of minutes, typically with no personal belongings or essential items brought with them, and even while in foster care, weeks can lapse before funding is provided to buy essential clothing.
Through the generosity of GRDA employees and Pryor Police, over two hundred new and gently used coats, hats and gloves were donated to the cause last year. Sarah assumed the task of getting the items sorted and distributed to the local DHS child welfare offices.
This year, the goal is to reach more kids in more areas where GRDA serves. The 2017 program will be expanded to solicit donations from not only GRDA employees, but employees of various law enforcement agencies that serve in Mayes, Delaware, Cherokee, Ottawa and Craig counties. To ensure area children have the winter outwear they need, you may bring any sizes from newborn to child’s size 16-18, new or gently used winter outwear items to a number of drop-off sites where drop boxes will be placed.
GRDA facilities will have drop boxes in the front lobbies at the Eco Center in Langley, ETC in Tulsa, the Vinita office, Transmissions in Pryor, the Scenic Rivers Office, and the south gate at GREC.
Law enforcement facilities where drop sites are located include Pryor Police, Tahlequah Police, Cherokee County SO, Craig County SO, Jay Police and Ottawa County SO.
We will be accepting donations for gently used or new winter coats, hats and gloves from October 1st till January 1st. All items donated will be distributed by personnel of GRDA Police to child welfare offices in Mayes, Delaware, Cherokee, Ottawa and Craig counties in an effort to ensure the children that enter the DHS system without needed winter wear will have access to their own winter clothing items immediately.
Coats For Kids
New Navigation Rules for Courthouse Hollow
As a result of complaints about dock and shoreline damage in the popular cove of Courthouse Hollow, GRDA has been making plans to implement a solution to calm the waters in the area. After months of public hearings and planning, GRDA Police are currently implementing the recently approved changes to slow vessel traffic.
Speed restrictions will soon apply to all larger vessels that navigate through Courthouse Hollow. Police will complete the installation of red No Wake buoys this week across the mouth of the channel into Courthouse Hollow that require all operators of vessels that are 8.5 feet or wider and/or 30 feet or longer must maintain idle speed while in the cove, in an effort to reduce the size of damaging wakes. Normal Idle Speed means the vessel is in the forward gear with no additional throttle applied.
These rules are similar to the rules currently in effect in Woodard Hollow and Duck Creek. The speed restrictions will not apply to vessels that are smaller than 8.5 feet wide or 30 feet long, that can continue to operate at reasonable speeds.
Boat operators are reminded that the red No Wake buoys placed in several areas around the lake invoke the same restrictions of idle speed for larger vessels. Violators can be cited by GRDA Police resulting in hefty fines. While there are no speed restrictions for small vessels, boaters are reminded that you are required to operate at a speed that is reasonable and prudent based on the conditions. All boat operators are also required by law to maintain idle speed while operating within 150 feet of any stationary vessel, dock, bridge, ramp or other structure.
Did You Know?
The most common types of watercraft involved in reported crashes are open motorboats (45%), kayaks (11%), and canoes (11%).
Request a "Wake Responsibly" sign
Request a "Wake Responsibly" sign to post at your local marina or private boat launch ramp. The Water Sports Industry Association has created outreach resources for the "Wake Responsibly" campaign. The goal of this campaign is to educate boaters about safe wakeboarding habits and minimize conflicts on waterways between homeowners and towed water sports participants.
Click here to learn additional details and request your sign.
Boating Tips from the GLSPS
Boating after dark requires properly working navigation lights on your boat and an understanding of how to interpret lights from other vessels at night to maneuver your boat safely. There are four common navigation lights.
Sidelights: Red-port or left side and green- starboard or right side.
Stern light: A white light that can be seen from behind or nearly behind.
Masthead light: A white light for all vessels under power that can be seen forward and to both sides. The absence of this light identifies a sailboat under sail rather than power.
All-round white light: On power boats less than 40 feet, the masthead light and stern light can be combined into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light also serves as an anchor light when sidelights are turned off.
Dock Lights: Are to be used to assist the operator in negotiating in and out of an unlit dock at night. They are NOT intended to be used as headlights on a boat, as they blind other boat operators.
To learn more about boats and boating, the United States Power Squadrons offers many courses such as seamanship, navigation, marine mechanics and marine electronics. For more information visit our website at: www.grandlakeusps.com or on Face Book at GLSPS.
By the Book
The Administrative Regulations of GRDA describe the organizations, operations, and procedures for the Grand River Dam Authority with respect to its administration, rulemaking, and other activities and are intended to supplement and interpret pertinent provisions of state statutes.
The following information are excerpts of the GRDA Administrative Regulations Title 300 Chapter 35 that are provided in an effort to educate the public about what regulations are enforced on GRDA waterways and properties. Many of these regulations have changed effective September 11, 2017. All GRDA regulations are available for review at GRDA.com.
300:35-1-5. GRDA police and compliance division
(a) GRDA has created a Police Department and a Compliance Division for the purpose of enforcing these Rules on the waters and land of GRDA.
(b) The members of GRDA's Police and Compliance Division are hereby declared to be the enforcement officers for GRDA. The enforcement officers for GRDA may enforce GRDA rules and regulations and the provisions of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The GRDA Police may also enforce those rules and regulations as may be issued pursuant to the provisions of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and all violations of criminal laws occurring within the boundaries of the counties where real property owned or leased by GRDA is located. The GRDA Police officers shall have the power of peace officers during the performance of their duties, except in the serving and execution of civil process.
(c) The GRDA Police officers shall, in the event of emergency, assist in the rescue of any person who may be in danger and shall assist in the saving of any property that is in danger of being lost or damaged. They may require the operator of any vessel operating on the waters of the lakes in any manner which is not in compliance with these Rules, or any applicable state law, to immediately remove said vessel from the lake until compliance has been had.
(d) The GRDA Police officers will enforce the state and federal laws related to the proper registration of vessels on GRDA waters.
(e) GRDA's Police officers may cooperate with federal, state and local enforcement officers in the enforcement of all federal and state laws upon the waters, lands and properties of GRDA or any other location within their jurisdiction.
300:35-1-6. Permitted activities
No person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity shall perform any activity which requires a permit prior to the issuance of the permit by GRDA. For example, no dock may be placed upon the waters of GRDA until such time as the applicant receives written notice from GRDA that such activity may take place. Insurance may be required for permitted activities. Any person shall be subject to the penalties set forth in these Rules and law that performs any activity which requires a permit prior to the issuance of a permit, or written permission from GRDA. All applicants are required to notify GRDA of any change in address subsequent to their submission of an application.
2017 Grand Fishing Tournaments
