A policy change that would provide Carbon County and Coaldale residents with first priority at Mauch Chunk Lake has been tabled for two weeks.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners moved to table the action because the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission had just been received and needed further review.

The motion, if it would have passed, would have prioritized beach access at the lake on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as county holidays during the swimming season to Carbon County.

Priority would also be given to Coaldale residents attending the Panther Valley School District, season passholders, senior citizens, veterans and visitors who rented camping spaces or pavilions.

The county has been looking at the possibility of changing the admission policy to ensure the lake remains a jewel for the county.

Parks and Recreation Commission member Rick Forgay said over the weekend that the primary challenge for the county was to maintain the park from getting overwhelmed when neighboring Beltzville State Park closes at 7:30 a.m. due to reaching capacity.

That lake has become a popular weekend getaway spot for thousands of visitors, who line the street to get into the park hours before the gates open.

But he didn’t see the need for a complete shutdown to non-county residents who wish to take a day and spend it at Mauch Chunk Lake.

A motion was made by the commission to keep the policy in place for all visitors with the exception of closing beach passes for non-county residents only on July 1-4.

In addition, it was recommended by the commission that county beach membership and gate fees remain the same this season, while non-county beach members increase to $150 and gate fees increase to $75.

The recommendations will now be reviewed and the commissioners will act on the agenda item on March 2.