USCG was on the lake, briefly, during the Reagan administration. For once, they had more funding than they really needed.
The Jones act was modified a few years ago to redefine "Navigable waters" and other details. USCG now only has authority over waters that can be navigated in both directions to international bodies of water, and interstate bodies of water. That leaves most of our rivers and lakes to local and state supervision.
Several of our rivers are technically included in federal jurisdiction because they form part of our borders or reach the sea.
The law does not prohibit USCG or other Federal Agencies from any public waterway. This is the same as any individual or group driving on a highway or walking in a park. The state does have letters if reciprocity with the USCG allowing mutual authority to act in various matters and areas. To the best of my knowledge, no such agreement applies to our lakes - just the seacoast.
That's all I think I know about that.
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