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Cabin fever- Congress has approved bill allowing floating cabins on lake

By BILL MARDIS Commonwealth Journal
Jan 3, 2017
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Both Houses of Congress have passed a bill with an amendment

attached by Congressman Hal Rogers that would require the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers to allow floating cabins on lakes in the


Cumberland River Basin, including Lake Cumberland, without inhibiting

restrictions.

The U.S. Senate recently passed the Water Infrastructure Improve-

ments for the Nation (WIIN) Act. The Act incorporates the Water

Resources Development Act on which is attached Rogers' amendment to

approve "floating cabins." The House version of the bill was

overwhelmingly passed last September.

"It makes them (Corps) do it," Rogers remarked while attending the

20th anniversary celebration for The Center for Rural Development.

"The ‘floating cabin' amendment will also provide an economic boost

for the Lake Cumberland region—streamlining approval for these

innovative cabins through the U.S. Coast Guard—and equipping the

tourism industry with another tool for lake enthusiasts to enjoy our

beautiful region," Rogers said.

The Water Resources and Development Act passed by Congress in 2014

directed the Corps to allow floating cabins on lakes in the

Cumberland River Basin. In response, the Corps came out with 18 pages

of regulations that dock owners on Lake Cumberland said made it

almost impossible to float the cabins. Floating cabins are different

from houseboats in that houseboats are movable; floating cabins are

static, fixed or stationary.

Floating cabins, approved on a case-by-case basis, are used in other

Corps-operated lakes, including nearby Green River Lake, without a

host of restricting regulations. Green River Lake is in the

Louisville District of the Corps. Lake Cumber-land is in the

Nashville District.

Some points of concern expressed by marina operators about the

regulations for floating cabins in Lake Cumberland include:

• An individual cannot rent a floating cabin longer than 30 days in

any 60 consecutive days.

• Holding the Corps harmless and mandating the lessee carry $1

million in liability insurance and a surety bond of $50,000 or the

approximate cost of restoring the lease premises.

"Somebody could burn (a floating cabin) and we'd (marina operators)

be liable ... I don't think my insurance company would go for that,"

interjected a marina operator.

• Requiring the federal minimum wage of $10.10 an hour to be paid by

floating cabin contractors.

"Would you be a private owner of a floating cabin if you had to move

it every 30 days ... maybe to another marina?" wondered J.D.

Hamilton, president of The Kentucky Marina Association, a statewide






organization representing marinas in Kentucky and owner of Lee's Ford

Marina Resort near Nancy.

Hamilton was one of several marina operators who left a Corps-held

public meeting a year and a half ago calling "completely unworkable"

guidelines established by the Corps for floating cabins on Lake

Cumberland and other lakes in the Cumberland River Basin.

Hamilton said this week he is "thrilled" about the new law that

apparently needs only the President's signature. However, Hamilton

has forged ahead in face of the regulations, leasing space in the

former Sharpe Houseboats complex on South U.S. 27 and establishing

Harbor Cottage Houseboats. He began constructing floating cabins last

summer.

"I have three floating cabins in the water and two under

construction," Hamilton said this week. "I rent them ... people love

them," he said. The stiff regulations still are a hindrance to

selling what Hamilton calls an affordable overnight floating cabin.

"Take the price ... about $149,000 paid over 20 years ... that's

about $800 a month, affordable to many people (who can't afford the

average $600,000 cost of a houseboat)," explained Hamilton.

The problem, as Hamilton sees it, people are hesitant to invest in a

20-year debt when they have to tangle with an array of regulations.

Hamilton said he is not aware if there are other floating cabins on

Lake Cumberland.