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The wake has yet to settle for some boat slip holders at Smithville Lake who are now facing an April 15 deadline to come into compliance with guidelines issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Clay County Commission approved a letter outlining those guidelines at its Feb. 1 meeting.

Proving particularly turbulent still for some slip holders is the requirement that all infill deck space, which in effect is floatable flooring, come into compliance with corps requirements, which includes flotation for sections 3 feet or larger.

Smaller sections in some cases can be allowed with the use of approved brackets.

“I’d like to ask for a postponement to allow more time to work this out,” Phil Wright, a member of the slip holders committee, said to the commission.

He raised the possibility of grandfathering in a portion of the existing deck infill space.

Presiding Commissioner Ed Quick said there could be no more postponements, with that day being the deadline to approve the letter.

Clay County Administrator Alexa Barton said the contractor who built the dock said foam was needed.

She also addressed the issue of allowing a portion of the infill deck space, which is not up to standard, while requiring other infill to meet the corps requirements.

“You have to draw the line somewhere,” Barton said.

Eastern Commissioner Katee Porter reminded people who would have the final say.

“It’s the corps’ decision,” she said.

Barton said the county is still exploring ways existing slip holder infill could be retrofitted with flotation in a manner that will meet the corps requirements.

Slip holders had earlier complained that being forced to purchase new infill that met the guidelines could be prohibitively expensive.

In addition to having infill meeting the corps requirements, the guidelines cover electrical usage and modifications, amenities, changes to the slips and habitation.

Corps representatives have indicated the county will have some flexibility on storage locker requirements, which are also addressed.

Senior writer Mark Johnson can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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