Madison… The largest coalition ever assembled to defend Wisconsin’s lakes is strongly opposing Assembly Bill (AB) 1033 – which threatens Wisconsin’s shoreline, fishing, and waterways.
The coalition consists of nearly 90 Wisconsin fishing enthusiasts, advocates for local control, lake property landowners, sailors, environmentalists, supporters of riparian rights, those concerned with spreading invasive species, and others.
However, there is good news on the way. State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Fox Crossing), State Senator Andre Jacque (R-New Franken) and State Representative Nate Gustafson (R-Omro) are introducing legislation (LRB 6365) that will establish responsible operation regulation and protect Wisconsin’s lakes from “wake-enhanced boating.”
The “Preserve Wisconsin’s Lakes Bill’s (LRB 6365) does the following to protect Wisconsin’s lakes:
- Mandates that wake-enhanced boating must be 500 feet from shore (AB 1033 has 200 feet from shore)
- Wake-enhanced boating must be at depths of 20 feet or more (AB 1033 has no depth language)
- Protects local towns from lawsuits from the wake boat industry and their allies (AB 1033 has no protection language)
- Allows towns (and other government entities) to determine what is best for their local community and their local lakes by going above State minimums in this bill. (AB 1033 has no “local control” language)
Scott Rolfs, President of Lakes at Stake Wisconsin praised the efforts. “There are two competing bills – one (Assembly Bill 1033) that is supported by the wake boat industry. The other bill, recently introduced by Senators Cabral-Guevara, Jacque and Representative Gustafson (LRB 6365) is supported by thousands of Wisconsinites who are passionate about protecting Wisconsin’s lakes – AND they vote!”
Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director of Wisconsin Wildlife Federation stated, “Assembly Bill 1033 calls from 200 feet from shore which is way too close to the shoreline, NO depth requirement, NO protections for Wisconsin towns. Wisconsin’s waters deserve better.”
Wake boats are large boats designed to create waves for people to surf behind. They have large ballasts systems and wave shaping devices that point down, killing fish habitat and essential vegetation in lakes. These luxury boats cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Many fishing groups have also shared their opposition to Assembly Bill 1033.
More information can be found at Lakes at Stake
