Poll: Should the County Continue to Patrol “Party Cove” on Lake Tapps?

Fairweather Cove on the north end of Lake Tapps used to be infamous for its parties. Dozens of boats would tie up to each other and… well, party.

After anchoring, drifting and rafting in the cove was banned over three years ago, boating traffic in the area has all but died. Now that the rule is facing its sunset, the Pierce County Sheriff and the county Boating Advisory Commission are willing to allow anchoring and drifting in the cove again, for one year, to see if the area's past problems have permanently gone away.

Supporters of lifting the lake rafting law say that boaters aren’t allowed to swim, picnic or fish in the area, which isn’t fair to law-abiding citizens.

Nearby cove residents are wary of what will come this summer, if the ban is lifted.

“There’s been no more underage and heavy drinking,” said Lake Tapps resident Leonard Lassak in an address to the Pierce County Council. “There’s been no more women taking their clothes off. There’s been no more marijuana smoking… if the ordinance goes away, they’re going to be back doing the same thing.”

The County Council’s public safety and human services committee voted 5-0 last week to recommend lifting the ban. The council will revisit the issue and make a final decision at the regular council meeting this Tuesday, April 17 at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers at the County-City Building in Tacoma.