As the summer boating season heats up, the Bonney Lake Police Department is reminding boaters about a new noise ordinance aimed at keeping the lake a little quieter.

The city council in October passed an ordinance capping at 75 decibels the legal volume of boats on Church Lake, as the section of Lake Taps within city limits is known.

According to Bonney Lake Police Public Information Officer Daron Wolschleger, the focus this summer will be on education, not ticketing.

“For repeat offenders we will issue citations accordingly,” Wolschleger said of the “educate first” policy.

The boat noise ordinance grew out of an ad hoc committee that included several residents from around the lake and was brought forward because their peace was routinely shattered by “drag boats,” large boats with big engines and above water mufflers capable of reaching more than 100 mph.

The new law is modeled on a similar ordinance that limits noise on American Lake.

Police Chief Mike Mitchell said last year that his department has struggled in the past with complaints from residents who said their windows were being rattled by the large engine boats.

The Marine Service Unit boat includes a noise meter, allowing police to check boats in real time.

This is the first summer the noise ordinance is in effect. It will only be enforced on the portion of the lake within city limits, which stretches to just north of the top of Inlet Island.

For more information, visit http://citybonneylake.org/section_community/getting_around/boating.shtml.