Regulators drop boating rule legal fight for Minnetonka

Published 3:04 pm Saturday, September 26, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS — The group that regulates use of the Twin Cities’ largest lake is reviewing and revising a rule for the popular body of water.

The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District’s review was prompted by a recent Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling in favor of a boater from Excelsior. The man had an intoxicated boating charge tossed out after arguing that the boat lighting rule he was initially stopped for was stricter than state law.

The Conservation District has decided to end the legal challenge and revise the boat lighting rule. Lake Minnetonka and White Bear Lake are the only two lakes in Minnesota that have local rules. Boaters follow state boating laws on the rest of the lakes.

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