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Ogden • Alcohol will be banned at the beaches around Pineview and Causey reservoirs but still allowed for boats in the water under a new rule passed by Weber County commissioners.

The commissioners said they made the decision Tuesday based on conversations with homeowners, boat owners, anglers and state officials, The Standard-Examiner reported.

In addition to boats in the water, two campgrounds set back behind the beaches will also be exempt from the ban scheduled to take effect on June 14.

Heavy litter and public intoxication at the reservoir beaches led to more than a year of discussion on how to get crowds under control. On Memorial Day weekend, there were 16 incidents including a stabbing and near drowning, said Sean Harwood, Forest Service Ogden District Ranger.

Commissioner Jim Harvey said the decision was not easy.

"I had dialogues on both side of the fence on this," Harvey said Tuesday. "I have a tremendous respect and regard for law enforcement and what they are doing up there. ... And I've got a responsibility in this decision to support our partners."

But some people in the area don't think an alcohol ban is the right decision.

Tiana Bykowski, an emergency responder who volunteers to do beach cleanup, suggested keeping one of the beaches alcohol-friendly.

"This ordinance kind of targets people who want free activities," Bykowski said. "If I want to go and enjoy a picnic with my family and bring a bottle of wine ... I have to pay to go to Anderson Cove or buy a boat, because if I have a boat I can drink on it."

Weber County Commissioner James Ebert said on Wednesday that the commissioners opted not to extend the alcohol ban to the water because the U.S. Forest Service opposed the measure. Ebert said a water ban could be considered in the future, but that they first want to evaluate if the beach ban leads to improvements.

Harwood of the Forest Service said it wasn't just his agency, but everyone involved in the yearlong discussion, that agreed that the state's stiff DUI laws that apply to boaters are sufficient to police the lake.

Weber County spokeswoman Holin Wilbanks echoed that point in explaining the decision.

"We'll expect our boaters to be responsible boaters," Wilbanks said. "If not, they'll have to suffer the consequences."

Commissioner Kerry Gibson said he took all comments seriously and his final decision came down to what could reasonably and responsibly get enforced.

"This is not one of those weird Utah things," Gibson said. "We are in a situation here where we are actually catching up with the rest of the United States where it's hard to find a public beach where alcohol is allowed."