Smith: Wisconsin coalition forms to support tougher state rules on wake-enhanced boating

A coalition is forming in Wisconsin to support tougher rules on wake-enhanced boating and recommend a framework for statewide legislation on the activity.

"Our goal is to be proactive on this very important issue," said Cody Kamrowski, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. "Hopefully we can see a law passed in the next session of the Legislature that gives much more protection to our lakes."

Founding members of the coalition are the WWF, Lakes At Stake Wisconsin, Last Wilderness Alliance, Wisconsin’s Green Fire and Wisconsin Lakes Association. Walleyes For Tomorrow is tentatively joining pending a vote by its directors.

Kamrowski released details of the group and its objectives on Wednesday.

The coalition recommends the following statewide minimum standards:

1) Enhanced wake creation activities shall only occur 700 feet or more from a shoreline.

2) Enhanced wake creation activities shall only occur at water depths in excess of 30 feet.

3) Ballast systems must comply with Department of Natural Resources regulations NR 19.055 and NR 40. All ballast systems are subject to the "home lake rule" requiring thermal decontamination before launching and certification for single-lake use. Boats must be professionally decontaminated when relocating to a different lake or river and receive accompanying paperwork. Furthermore, any anti-freeze in ballast tanks must be fully purged before a boat enters a Wisconsin lake or river. These regulations would take effect one year after legislation was approved.

4) Local units of government shall continue to have the right to enact ordinances more restrictive than state minimum standards when necessary to fully protect the waters under their jurisdiction. Any currently existing local ordinances that are stricter than state minimums would remain in effect.

Kamrowski said it was critical for conservation and environmental groups to work with the Legislature to enact rules specific to wake-enhanced boating.

But it was also important for any state law to allow local control.

"We've got more than 15,000 lakes and no two are identical," Kamrowski said. "The residents of local municipalities are the most knowledgeable about their lakes and the most invested in how best to protect them."

State law allows wake-enhanced boating in any area normal motor boat activities such as water-skiing are allowed, typically at least 100 feet from shore.

Wake-boating has become a controversial issue in Wisconsin and other states

Wake-enhanced boating has become a hot-button issue in Wisconsin and other states. The activity involves use of a special power boat with ballast tanks or other devices that allow it to create larger-than-normal wakes. The waves are large enough to allow a surfer to ride behind the boat without a tow rope.

Though fun for some, the activity has generated complaints from lakefront property owners, anglers, paddlers and wildlife advocates due to a range of reported issues, including damage to shorelines, conflicts with other lake users and destruction of loon nests.

There are also significant concerns about aquatic invasive species being spread between lakes via ballast tanks on the boats. A group of Wisconsin citizens filed a petition in February with the DNR in an effort to require wake boats to stay on a single waterbody or prove they were decontaminated before moving.

Three public listening sessions led last fall by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) overflowed with northern Wisconsin residents calling for additional state restrictions on wake-enhanced boating.

The organization Lakes At Stake Wisconsin even formed last year to address the issue.

And this year the Lac du Flambeau Tribe outlawed wake boats on the 260 lakes in its northern Wisconsin reservation, including 3,483-acre Fence Lake.

Earlier this year the Vermont DNR passed the most restrictive wake boating rule of any state. It prohibits wake sports on lakes, ponds and reservoirs that do not have a minimum of 50 contiguous acres that are both 500 feet from shore on all sides and are a minimum of 20 feet deep. It also requires the 50-acre area to be at least 200 feet wide.

On the other side of the issue the Water Sports Industry Association is actively working in Wisconsin and other states to promote wake boating-friendly legislation.

In 2023 the WSIA and Schrieber GR, its in-state lobbying firm, helped Wisconsin Republicans draft Assembly Bill 656 and its companion Senate Bill 680 . The measure was similar to legislation introduced in other states and would prevent wake sports from lakes of 50 acres or less and from operating within 200 feet from shore. It would also nullify more restrictive local ordinances on wake surfing.

It was heavily criticized as falling far short of providing protections for Wisconsin lakes and never received a hearing in either chamber.

Restrictions on wake-surfing have fallen to local municipalities

In the absence of legislative action, local boards have been passing ordinances on the activity.

As of last month 28 local ordinances had been enacted in Wisconsin restricting or prohibiting wake-enhanced boating, according to the Last Wilderness Alliance, a Presque Isle nonprofit organization that provides assistance to local boards on the issue.

In July three town boards in Waupaca County enacted ordinances prohibiting wake-enhanced boating on their lakes.

On Monday the Town of Ottawa board of supervisors tabled a proposal that would have banned wake surfing on Hunter Lake. The issue is scheduled to be taken up at the board's December meeting, according to board chair Cheryl Rupp.

Kamrowski said the Wisconsin coalition is seeking to add organizations and individuals to its list of supporters.

If interested, contact Kamrowski at cody@wiwf.org or (715) 896-5445.

More: Smith: Spring hearings provide latest landslide call for action on wake-enhanced boating

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Smith: Wisconsin coalition forms to support tougher state rules on wake-enhanced boating