Associated with periods of high water is the physical erosion of top soil leading to damage of the vegetative cover and exposing of tree roots. Such damages to the recreational area cause losses in scenic or aesthetic quality and diminish the future usefulness of the area. Noise from off-road vehicles and early morning boaters, fishermen, and skiers have increased noise problems in recreational areas. Quiet zones and areas for use of off-road vehicles need to be established. The key question facing management of a municipal lake is who should be the users of the recreational facilities.
Most city officials see the answer to be local residents.
In view of these federal sources of financing, consideration should be given to providing use of the lake to nonresidents as well as local residents. The typical fee policy of setting fees at levels which recover only a portion or all of operation and maintenance costs reflects the view of city officials that local residents are the clientele to be served. These city officials argue that local citizens through their tax dollars have paid for the lake and its facilities. However, these costs are borne by all taxpayers in cases where federal monies are involved. Another argument made for catering to local residents is that local residents through their local tax dollars contribute an additional amount of funds to the lake budgets that nonresidents do not pay.