(A) Public boating shall be permitted only in vessels owned and provided by the town. These vessels shall be non-motorized, non-tailored types such as canoes, kayaks, and row boats/john boats. Approved vessels shall be of a design where no contact with the water is made by the occupants.
(B) Boating shall be restricted as to locations designated by the Town Manager (in consultation with the Utilities Director), but in no case within 150 feet of the water supply intake facilities. No boat shall touch shore except at the designated boat launch area/dock.
(C) No more than five boats shall be permitted on the lake at any given time.
(D) Reckless boating shall not be tolerated and any offender shall be removed from the lake and subject to a civil penalty for violating this subchapter.
(E) Bank fishing will only be allowed in areas designated and identified by signs on site. These areas are further described as follows:
(1) The pier and the bank of the Lake directly south of the pier for a distance of 400 feet;
(2) The cove where Buckeye Creek enters the Lake, including an area extending along the bank 120 feet on the south side of the mouth of the creek and 275 feet along the bank on the north side of the mouth of the creek; and
(3) The pointe: an area of 200 feet along the bank of the Lake on the peninsula opposite Buckeye Water Treatment Plant.
(4) Buckeye Creek: the area of Buckeye Creek from the cove where Buckeye Creek enters the Lake to the location where Buckeye Creek flows under Buckeye Creek Road.
(F) Fishing from boats owned and provided by the town is permitted.
(G) Regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife Commission shall apply for fishing and boating activities.
(H) Picnicking will be permitted only in designated areas.
(I) Campfires will be permitted only in designated areas and in approved fire rings under the following circumstances:
(1) A campfire permit must be obtained from the town in conjunction with a camping permit;
(2) All fires must be confined to the fire ring, must be continuously attended and must be completely extinguished before leaving;
(3) The permit holder must provide firewood. Leftover firewood can be stacked in a designated area for use by others;
(4) Persons building fires will be responsible for any damage that may occur as a result of a fire; and
(5) Fires are not permitted in any other areas of the park.
(J) (1) Educational activities will be permitted as follows:
(2) The Buckeye Recreation Center may operate children’s summer camps. Programs at the lake typically include elementary instruction in hands-on biology, environmental education, wildlife viewing, and fishing education.
(K) Hikers or pedestrians shall stay on designated, marked paths. Motorized vehicles are prohibited from hiking paths.
(L) Pets in the Buckeye Lake Recreation Area shall be on a leash at all times and under direct care and supervision. Pets may have no contact with the water.
(M) Users shall confine activities to those areas which are designated for public use and shall in no instance enter other surrounding lands of the lakes.
(N) Swimming or any bodily contact with the water is strictly prohibited. Any user observed swimming, rolling a kayak, or in any other way, showing disregard for any of the stated regulations or otherwise contributing to degradation of water quality or abuse of these facilities may be restricted from using the lakes for a period of time as designated by the Town Manager or his or her designee.
(O) Hunting or trapping of wildlife will not be permitted on the premises of Buckeye Lake.
(P) Discourteous or abusive language or acts of violence or intimidation are not allowed.
(Q) No horses, cattle or domestic animals are permitted to water, wash or wallow in the reservoirs.
(R) No activity shall occur within the buffer area surrounding Buckeye Lake that does not comply with local zoning restrictions and 15A NCAC 02B.0214. Within one-half mile in all directions from the normal pool of the reservoir exists a WS-II Critical Area (CA). The CA is designated by the state to provide additional protection in close proximity to a drinking water supply intake. Being within the CA of a WS-II watershed requires that non-exempt development (disturbed or built upon area) occupy no more than 6% of the land owned or leased, and have a minimum of a 30 foot stream buffer.
(1) A 50 foot undisturbed buffer is in effect from the normal pool of the reservoir in conformance with 15A NCAC 18C.0403(f).
(2) A 30 foot stream buffer is in effect for all tributary streams to the reservoir within the Critical Area in conformance with 15A NCAC 02B.0214.
(S) The cleaning of fish is prohibited in Buckeye Lake, Buckeye Creek, the Buckeye Lake area and the Shane Outpost Park area.
(T) No discharge of firearms or fireworks (other than those approved for public show by the town) are permitted in the Buckeye Lake Recreational Area.
(U) Overnight tent camping is permitted in designated areas only and in compliance with the Buckeye Lake Protection Plan and the Shane Outpost Park rules and regulations.
(V) Trash and debris shall be carried out or placed in receptacles provided. Littering is strictly prohibited.
(W) Acts of degradation to water quality or desecration of trees or plant life will not be tolerated.
(Ord. 2013-01, passed 1-8-2013; Ord. 2016-05, passed 3-8-2016; Ord. 2020-01, passed 3-10-2020)