USACE manager: more than 150 illegal docks on Lake Lewisville; agency pushing voluntary compliance

Kenneth Myers, a lake manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, told the Highland Village Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on July 21 that Corps staff have compiled a lake-wide database listing more than 150 illegal boat docks and related shoreline encroachments on Lake Lewisville.

Myers said the Corps has begun a communication campaign focused first on homeowners associations, distributing a short public-affairs video and asking for voluntary removal of illegal structures. “We’ve got over 150, and that’s lake wide,” Myers said, describing the initial outreach and the Corps’ June 1 request for compliance.

Why it matters: Corps-managed shoreline is public land under federal rules, and long-standing private docks restrict public access and can affect shoreline erosion and other environmental values. Myers told the board the Corps will escalate enforcement if voluntary measures fail — including targeted letters, door-to-door contact, holding flow-easement approvals and, as a last resort, citations and impoundment of structures at the owner’s expense.

Myers described the enforcement sequence the Corps expects to follow: broad HOA and city communications, more direct notices to owners, then progressive enforcement steps. “If we can’t still get voluntary compliance … then we might have to look at citation as mandatory appearance, things like that,” he said. He added the Corps has discussed impoundment and removal and that impounded property would be retained for up to six months: “When they’re impounded, we have to keep things that are impounded for up to 6 months.”

Board members asked operational questions about what the Corps plans to remove. Myers said the Corps’ enforcement covers docks and smaller shoreline fixtures, including rigs used to haul jet skis, when the items are on Corps-managed easement or otherwise on public land. “Yep. That stuff … [is] included to planning to impound as well,” he said in response to a board question about nontraditional docks.

Myers described other enforcement levers the Corps is using, including holding up approvals for easement work until owners comply and supplying HOA and city partners with a short, two-minute video the Corps’ public-affairs office produced to explain rules and shoreline impacts.

Operational limits and staffing: Myers said Corps rangers are in a high-use, summer recreation posture and that the district has five rangers — one lead and four rangers — so enforcement capacity will increase only gradually. “Right now, our rangers are in summer mode recreation, so they’re pretty well tasked doing other things. But come fall, we’re gonna start ramping it up a little bit more,” he said.

Legal basis and permitting: Myers told the board the prohibition is stated in federal rules: “It’s a violation of title 36 Code of Federal Regulations. … You’re not allowed to have them unless they’re authorized or permitted.” He explained the Corps already permits about 60 boathouses and docks that were authorized decades ago; Congress and Corps policy stop issuance of new permits for that type of private facility.

Next steps and local role: The Corps asked city partners and HOAs to help explain shoreline and ecological impacts to residents and to share the Corps’ educational materials. Board members suggested the city and volunteer groups emphasize erosion and habitat impacts to gain voluntary compliance. Myers said the Corps will continue the outreach and move to direct enforcement where necessary.

The board did not take formal action on the update. The Corps’ presentation ended with board members thanking Myers for the briefing and offering to help distribute information.