Wisconsin Watersports Coalition
The Public Trust Doctrine
When you do a comprehensive review of all the science - the outcome is to enact a 200' from shore rule.
Wisconsin Watersports Coalition
When you do a comprehensive review of all the science - the outcome is to enact a 200' from shore rule.
The Wisconsin Public Trust Doctrine guarantees public access to navigable waters for recreational use, such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
Any effort to take away recreational rights on Wisconsin’s lakes must be supported by sound scientific evidence to ensure that such actions are necessary, effective, and align with the Public Trust responsibilities outlined in the state constitution. Not Anecdotes- or emotions.
Constitutional Protection:
The Wisconsin Public Trust Doctrine, as part of the state constitution, ensures that Wisconsin’s navigable waters are held in trust for public use. This right is fundamental and should not be easily curtailed without strong justification.
Environmental and Public Health Considerations:
Restrictions on recreational use should be justified by science-based concerns, such as the protection of water quality, the health of aquatic ecosystems, or public safety. Without such scientific justification, taking away public access could undermine environmental stewardship and public well-being.
Fairness and Transparency:
Decisions to restrict public access should be transparent and based on rigorous data. For example, evidence of overuse, pollution, or the presence of invasive species may justify temporary restrictions, but these should be based on sound science to ensure they are fair, effective, and in the public’s best interest.
Economic and Social Impacts:
Recreational use of Wisconsin’s lakes contributes significantly to local economies through tourism, fishing, and other activities. Limiting access without a clear, science-backed reason could negatively impact both local economies and the well-being of residents who rely on these activities for their quality of life.
Legal Precedent:
Wisconsin courts have upheld the public’s right to access and use navigable waters as part of the Public Trust Doctrine, and any attempt to restrict these rights without scientific justification could be challenged in court as an infringement on this constitutional right.
In summary, any effort to take away recreational rights on Wisconsin’s lakes must be supported by sound scientific evidence to ensure that such actions are necessary, effective, and align with the public trust responsibilities outlined in the state constitution.