Action Item: Proposed Wake Surf Bill

Last Wilderness Alliance has learned that State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Rob Swearingen have proposed a bill that will allow wake boats to operate at 200 feet from shore on lakes greater than 50 acres. This is contrary to all credible research findings due to the strength of these wakes and the damage that they create. 

Further, the bill will include a provision to prohibit any municipality from passing local regulations that exceed the above limits. This would be a repeat of what the Legislature did in 2015 when it took away the ability of local municipalities to regulate shore-line zoning. 

ACTION IS REQUIRED NOW! The Senators are holding “listening sessions” in the Northwoods Monday, Nov 13, as follows and we’re encouraging as many of you as possible to attend and let them know that you do not support this legislation.  

We will have an LWA spokesperson available at the sessions to give details.

Eagle River 10-11 AM City Hall, 525 E Maple St

Minocqua 1-2 PM City Hall, 415 Menominee St

Rhinelander 3-4 PM Public Library, 106 N Stevens St

If you cannot make the sessions, here are Vilas and Oneida County’s contacts: 

Senator Mary Felzkowski Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov 

Rep. Rob Swearingen Rep.Swearingen@legis.wisconsin.gov

For other counties, to find your State Senator and State Representative enter your address at  Wisconsin Legislative District Viewer  (check boxes for "Senate Districts" and/or "Assembly Districts" at top left)

Key Concerns:
Safety
Shoreline damage
Lakebed damage and water quality
Transfer of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Destruction of fish habitat
Destruction of loon habitat
Usurping all other lake users
Destroying local economies

More information on the threat wake surfing poses to our lakes is available on the LWA website: https://lastwildernessalliance.org/wakesurfing