While the Hoge Island boat ramp falls under the jurisdiction of the Bismarck Parks and Recreation district, it's creating some heartburn for the Burleigh County Water Resource Board.

The boat ramp was one of the issues taken up by the water board at its special Monday meeting.

Water board member Rynee Kellar is especially upset that the Hoge boat ramp is basically unusable because of its steep decline into the Missouri, particularly during low water. He put together a letter that would come from the water board asking the park district to resolve the matter.

Gailen Narum, who will chair the water board in 2008, said that the water board hasn't established any priorities relating to boat ramps. Narum also questioned Kellar's wording in the letter that the water board was "willing to work with" the park district on the matter.

"It's been brought to our attention that the Hoge Island boat ramp has deficiencies, but I don't know if that is a priority for us," Narum said.

"There's no question the water district has the power and authority to work with recreational water-related activities. But to say that we will work with them (park district) gives the impression we're willing to spend time and money on boat landings. Until such time we have clear direction from the county commission that we should get involved in such an activity and that they're (county commission) willing to fund it, I don't think we can offer to work with them," Narum said.

Water district consulting engineer Mike Gunsch added that the Hoge Island ramp is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Bismarck Park District which was given ownership of the property. He suggested that the water board indicate that it was willing to discuss the situation rather than to say it would work with the park district.

Water board member Terry Fleck suggested the board move slowly and cautiously before jumping into the boat ramp issue and determine exactly what role the district should play.

"It's in our best interest to get a better handle or understanding of the whole process," Fleck said. "Just to jump in right now, without having a larger vision. We should talk as a group and decide where we want this to go."

If the water board is going to get involved with the Hoge Island ramp, it had better be prepared to look at ramp use up and down the Missouri in Burleigh, Fleck said. Not that the board shouldn't get involved, but it would be a great challenge.

Board chairman Ken Royse suggested that it was not inappropriate for the water board to express its concerns. He also said park board chairman Mark Zimmerman was in attendance, so it wasn't as if the park district wasn't aware of their concerns.

It was board's consensus that a letter can be sent regarding concerns at Hoge Island, but that further word crafting was needed. Kellar said there was no hurry and the letter could be sent later in 2008.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)