News From District One

SIOUX CITY - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducted a boating safety project on the Missouri River at Sioux City on July 26 that resulted in four arrests of boating while intoxicated and 14 other citations or written warnings. Two additional boat operators were found to be just under Iowa's .10 blood alcohol concentration limit. The safety project was conducted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the river.

Conservation Officer Steve Griebel said officers made contact with between 40 and 45 vessels and by far the biggest issue was operators violating the speed and distance rules. "The river downstream from Sioux City is fairly narrow and boats and personal watercraft are often going too fast for the number on the water," he said.

"One positive we found was that in all the boats we checked that had kids, all of the kids were wearing life jackets. That was nice to see," Griebel said.

He said they will be doing these safety projects on the river in the future. "The project went well and we would like to expand it in the future in an effort to keep the river safe," he said.

Six officers with Department of Natural Resources were assisted by a deputy with the Woodbury County Sheriff's Department to conduct the project from three boats.