Lincoln County commissioners have voted to withdraw from the Lake Norman Marine Commission (LNMC), citing frustration with how the agency handled safety and regulatory matters. The decision takes effect June 30 and ends the joint agreement authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1969.
Commissioner Bud Cesna confirmed that a new nine-member panel will replace the current commission. The revised structure includes two representatives each from Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Catawba counties, along with one at-large representative.
Lincoln County leaders voiced concerns over the LNMC’s management, including its enforcement of boating safety. LNMC currently oversees lake-wide responsibilities such as navigational aids, channel markers, and law enforcement coordination. Executive Director David Scott warned that eliminating these services could compromise safety across Lake Norman.
Uncertainty looms over Lake Norman patrols as Marine Commission set to dissolve June 30 https://t.co/HeighopKPG
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) May 7, 2025
In recent years, the LNMC implemented new rules for charter and rental boats, requiring safety inspections and licensed captains. Despite some opposition, officials credit the regulations with reducing boat-related fatalities. Only one death occurred last summer—a decline attributed to the commission’s enforcement efforts.
The transition leaves each county responsible for its own boating safety and enforcement unless new shared agreements are adopted.
