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BISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will participate in Operation Dry Water during the upcoming holiday weekend as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under the influence. The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on state waterways.
ODW weekend, July 2-4, is the national weekend of heightened enforcement directed at boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach.
While educating boaters about the hazards associated with boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a year-round effort, on ODW weekend the Game and Fish Department’s game wardens will focus on the water, informing boaters about safe boating practices and removing impaired operators from the water.
Tips for staying safe on the water:
- Boat sober: Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Alcohol and drug use impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
- Wear your life jacket: 85% of drowning victims nationwide were not wearing a life jacket.
- Take the online boating safety education course: 71% of deaths nationwide occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
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WMA reminders
In related Fourth of July news, the Game and Fish Department has issued a reminder that fireworks on state wildlife management areas are prohibited.
The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses compatible with these objectives. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible.
In addition, the department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday “no camping” restriction for the Fourth of July holiday week. That means overnight camping will be allowed Tuesday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 6, on those WMAs that otherwise have the two-day restriction in place.
A complete list of WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov.
