County committee forwards enhanced wake resolution, letters to legislators

At the December meeting of the Oneida County land and water conservation committee, county conservationist Michele Sadauskas brought forth two letters of recommendation and a resolution regarding the regulation of wake surfing and wake boarding.

“Our lakes are integral to the recreation base of the economy of Oneida County,” the letter of recommendation reads. “For this reason, the Oneida County Conservation and UW-Extension (CUW) Committee would like to see legislation enacted that would set meaningful protection measures in place, while balancing the rights of citizens to recreate on their favorite waterbody.” 

The letters of recommendation were to be sent to Representative Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz), chair of the Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, and Senator Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), chair of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, Sadauskas said.

The letter of recommendation requests revisions to legislation currently circulating. It asks that the proposed 200 foot from shore regulation be replaced by a 500 foot from shore stipulation. It also asks the state to prohibit enhanced wake creation in waters shallower than 30 feet as well as to address the transfer of aquatic invasive species (AIS) through ballast water tanks and/or bladders. The recommendation from the department also asks that local control be retained, allowing local governments to set standards beyond state minimums.

Several numbers have been bandied about in terms of appropriate distances from shore as well as depth of water that is best for operation of a wake enhancing boat. Distance from shore numbers have ranged from 200 feet to 700 feet, brought about by an independent study out of Minnesota. Depth has been discussed as well, with the industry itself saying these boats will not perform well in shallower waters and should be used in 15 feet or more for best wake creation. 

“I think the 500 feet is fine,” said committee member Tom Ryden. “I think at 500 feet you kind of take away that 15 feet (of depth) on most lakes.” 

He also said the boats do not operate with an optimal wake at less than 15 feet, so it is in the best interest of the users to stay in deeper water.

“There are going to be unhappy people on both sides of the equation no matter what’s decided,” noted committee member Linaea Newman. “I don’t think there’s going to be a happy medium that’s going to please.”

 This sentiment has been echoed by many others, including State Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and State Assembly Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) at recent listening sessions in the Northwoods pertaining to the topic.

There was also some discussion regarding the idea of local control.

“I think you have to look at the history of the state legislature,” said committee member Robb Jensen. “The history of the state legislature has been when a number of these issues have gone to local control. And then the localities differ right next door to each other. And then their phones start ringing.” 

He said it seemed like a good idea when talking about it, but when put into place, it can make things confusing for people. He said he would prefer to make suggestions to legislators that would be successful. He used the example of Squash Lake and the Town of Crescent and the Town of Woodboro potentially having two different regulations.

Now, not only would a boater need to know the regulations of that specific lake, but also whether or not those conditions were the same for the entire lake.

Committee chair Jim Winkler said he spoke with Swearingen and Felzkowski regarding the enhanced wake legislation. He said Felzkowski said they wanted local control, but had heard from constituents that they did not want that. He also spoke about lakes that crossed over borders not only of towns but also counties. 

“No matter which standard comes out, enforcement is going to be the real issue,” Winkler said.

In talking with county recreation enforcement staff, often by the time staff receives a call and can get out to the lake, the boat in question would likely already be gone.

Ryden agreed that enforcement would be difficult, but also spoke about the newer boats.

“Everybody knows there needs to be regulation,” he said. “Every boat is way bigger than it was 10 years ago. I mean, your average fishing boat now is 17 to 19 feet and weighs 3,500 to 4,500 pounds.” 

He said verbiage regarding draining ballasts to the best of the boater’s ability would be acceptable as well and Jensen agreed. 

The committee voted to send the letters of recommendation on to the respective committee chairs in the Senate and Assembly. They also voted to send the advisory resolution to the county board for review.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].