May 13, 2008 7:44 pm US/Pacific
Boaters Surprised By Nude Sunbathers On River
AUBURN (CBS13) ―
People floating down the river in Auburn are now finding themselves exposed to a new problem. A stretch of the river that is now open to boaters takes them past a hangout for nude sunbathers.
Nude sunbathers have flocked to this quiet stretch along the American river about a mile from Highway 49 for the past three decades, but new complaints may be forcing them to cover up or get out.
"We are born without clothes," said sunbather Paul McCracken. "It's not really offending anybody."
Since the previously off-limits stretch of the river opened to boaters two weekends ago, some boaters like Andy Kocher say they are getting over-exposed.
"There's all these little kids and families," he said. "I don't think it's right for them to see that.
State Parks superintendent Jay Galloway says that nude sunbathing is illegal, but with budget cuts slashing positions, enforcement is difficult. "If we get a public complaint and we have the manpower to deal with it we will go down there and respond to it," he said.
But McCracken has another suggestion for responding to the complaints. "If they don't want to see naked people then go downriver."
Nudist sunbathers who refuse to cover up could face several hundred dollars in fines and possible misdemeanor charges.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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