Editorial: Failing the marina, again

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources obviously doesn’t know what it wants to do with the Storm Lake Marina. One day the state says it wants to deed over the property to the county except for the walleye milking shed, and the next day it wants something different. The county doesn’t know what to think and neither do we, since the state as is typical offers no explanation why it changed the terms of handing over the marina to the county. It looks like it wants to keep everything that doesn’t cost money and maintenance.

The county would be justified in walking away from this clown show. The conservation board, supervisors and private enterprise have been talking about how to move forward with the marina once the state lets loose its death grip. It should be a place thriving with boats and business. It could be a great promotion of natural resources for the state and county. It could be good for tourism and fun. That’s what the locals are talking about.

From the perspective of today, that sounds like just talk. For reasons unexplained, IDNR withdrew its offer, which had been verbally agreed to by our understanding and discussed widely. It reneged on a deal, or at least a good-faith understanding. It is hard to see how the county can negotiate when the goal posts keep moving.

• Marina property — what we need
• DNR, county marina transfer deal on ice
• County set to get marina by spring

The state is frittering away its investment in the marina and its potential for Storm Lake by messing around. We hope it can come to its senses soon and deed over the property to the county so people can fully enjoy the lake again with an operating marina that can sustain its own operations. That is possible if the state will keep good on its offers.

The problem may be that someone suggested fun could happen. Or that somebody might make money. That’s why IDNR got cold feet. In the end, they forget that the boating and fishing public pays their keep, and they are not getting back what they are paying in through marine fuel taxes, licensing, sales taxes and fees. A good conservative Republican administration would deliver on its promises and show a value for the money that the recreational public pays. Instead, we will see another season with substandard return on our investment. What a waste.