Wake boat concerns dominate listening session

Four listening sessions held May 5 and 6 in northern Wisconsin were completely dominated by concerns over the impacts of wake-enhanced boating. Local residents, including HFRLA President Paul Egelhoff, attended state budget listening sessions organized by GOP legislators, but the main topic of discussion was the impact of wake-enhanced boating.

Wake-enhanced boating, which uses ballast tanks to create large waves for surfing and tubing, is raising concerns about shoreline erosion, damage to lakebeds and fish habitat, and the spread of invasive species.

Independent studies, including one completed last year in Connecticut, have shown wake boats create more wave energy, propeller downwash and sediment disturbance than traditional motor boats.

The Capital Times reported that the multi-billion dollar watersports industry spent $84,000 on lobbying Wisconsin legislators last spring. While the boating industry advocates for voluntary compliance, residents and lake associations are pushing for stricter regulations, including a statewide rule requiring wake-enhanced boating to occur further from shore and in deeper water.

You can read Paul Smith’s full article in JSOnline here.

—Carol Polacek