LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County leaders will soon decide whether to ban gas-powered water crafts from a small lake surrounded by several neighborhoods.
Residents believe Lake Tavares is beautiful and peaceful and are fighting to keep it that way by asking the county to consider the ban.
The 30 acre, spring-fed lake is about 45 feet deep at its lowest point and is surround by more than a dozen homes.
"We just found this spot and thought it was a nice little lake," resident Fran Rice said.
The lake used to have a public ramp where Tavares High School would host its swimming event, but now it's only used by the residents who live around it.
"It's real private and quiet," Rice said.
Part of the lake lies within the city limits of Tavares, where it was decided years ago that no gas-powered motorized vehicles are allowed, but the other part of the lake is in the county, where there are no restrictions.
Rice and her group are hoping that will change, but others hope to keep things the way they are.
Rice said there is one resident who is determined to continue to use his motorized boat.
"He says he's on county, and that he is going to have his boat out there," Rice said.
Rice and her group are worried that the gas motors will ruin their peace and quiet and also damage the health of the lake.
"People drag stuff in on their boat, and they bring it into our lake, and so our lake is not going to be good for fishing or anything," Rice said.
Rice and other residents have started a petition to ask county leaders to ban motors on the entire lake.
Channel 9 was unable to speak with any of the people who want to keep motors on the lake.
County leaders will be considering the ban on June 9.
WFTV
