Wisconsin Watersports Coalition
The No Ballast BAN
We cannot make Wisconsin the most RESTRICTIVE state in the nation.
A comprehensive review of studies leads to enacting a 200' setback from shore rule.
Wisconsin Watersports Coalition
We cannot make Wisconsin the most RESTRICTIVE state in the nation.
A comprehensive review of studies leads to enacting a 200' setback from shore rule.
THIS ORDINANCE IS A BAN ON WAKESURFING AND WAKEBOARDING
The No Ballast Ordinance is being presented to Towns as a solution to Wake surfing, in reality it is a BAN on Wake surfing. There are many ways to regulate boating activities, time of day, day of week, areas of a lake, noise etc. that Towns who have enacted this ordinance have ignored. This is the first type of regulation that is on the equipment used on a boat and is being used to ban an activity. It will not Stop with Wake surfing and Wakeboarding.
This ordinance makes Wisconsin the most strict state in the nation .
Personal Impact:
This immediately devalues your boat and any other property ( lifts etc) that you use to wake surf. While you can still operate your boat, you cannot use the boat for its intended purpose- wake surfing/wakeboarding.
Most Towns enact the ordinance without due diligence responding to loud voices and outside influence.
Questions you should be asking or requesting information from your town:
What criteria led the Town to identify wake surfing as a unique threat warranting a ban? Was there an assessment, and who provided the information?
Are annual lake quality studies done with this specific concern showing a decline linked to wake boats (e.g., aquatic surveys or trophic state indicators)? Who did the work?
Has a study been conducted on the volume and residency of wake boats compared to other boats? How long have wake boats been on your lake?
Was an economic impact study performed? Bans might deter tourism and give the impression that the area is unfriendly to recreational sports. What’s the next ban?
Are there records of incidents, hazardous wakes, or citations specifically involving wake boats? Possibly from WDNR or the Boat patrol? must be non-anecdotal.
What is your lake currently doing to prevent the spread of AIS for all Boats?
How will the Town enforce this ordinance?