Hello Wakesports Reform Coalition members and interested stakeholders,
The coalition wanted to provide a few updates in relation to our efforts. Below is a newsletter from Lakes at Stake (one of the 5 original coalition members) that provides some great updates. The big update and question that everyone has is in relation to legislation. Where are we at? As we all know, making good policy can be messy and time consuming. Right now the legislature is working on an energy Right of First Refusal (ROFR) bill and the budget, which is taking all the oxygen out of the room and not leaving much bandwidth for any other policy work to be done. We are anticipating once these conversations conclude, wakesports legislation will likely be next and we will be sure to keep everyone in the loop.
Thank you everyone and I hope you have a wonderful week!
Cody
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Cody Kamrowski
Executive Director
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
N1601 Sandberg Rd. | Melrose, WI 54642
- 715- 896 – 5445
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From: Lakes at Stake Wisconsin <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Subject: Important Madison Update and Local Ordinances
To: Cody <[email protected]>
Important updates on Madison and Local Ordinances across the State
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The Stalemate in Madison and the continued push on a local level
Dear Cody,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lakes at Stake newsletter! We are dedicated to preserving the beauty and safety of Wisconsin’s treasured glacial lakes. In this issue, we’re going to update you on events in Madison, applaud more towns who have moved forward with local ordinances, and highlight a new 2025 wakeboat that will bring the punch to your local waterbody!
Let’s Go! |
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| Our Wakeboat Reform Coalition is now up to 72 Wisconsin based organizations, representing over one hundred thousand citizens who are seeking common sense minimum state standards for artifically enhanced wakesports.
We are grateful to a group of Republican legislators who have been willing to take on “Big Wakeboat”. However, their efforts to introduce a common sense reform bill are on hold, as the GOP caucus is split on the issue. And for those not familiar, for a bill to stand a chance of passage, it must be introduced by the party in control of the legislature. So while a number of Democrats are supportive of our efforts, they are on the sideline as it relates to initiating legislation.
While we’re working on offense to protect our lakes, the wakeboat industry is working hard to get a different group of GOP legislators to introduce an opposing bill that would eliminate the local control that Wisconsin towns and municipalities currently have over the lakes within their jurisdiction. The bill would also propose a statewide standard for artificially enhanced wake sports of only 200 feet (or maybe 300 feet) from shore, which is completely inadequate to protect the lakes, rivers, piers, docks and shorelines (much less kayakers or young children playing along the shore).
We’re at a loss as to why any legislator would introduce a pro-wakeboat bill after the resounding defeats the industry has been taking across Wisconsin this past year. Then again, when some wakeboats in the industry’s product line are selling for over $500,000 (see below) that provides a lot of dough to be able to use on lobbying efforts at the Capitol.
Our message to local towns and municipalities considering an ordinance prohibiting artificially enhanced wakes: Do it now. Madison will not be coming to your rescue for the summer of 2025.
There are currently dozens of towns and municipalities in the process of considering an enhanced wake ordinance. Don’t get left behind.
Lakes at Stake Wisconsin’s lobbyist is working hard on both offense and defense on this issue. As always, a donation/financial support for our lobbying efforts is both needed and greatly appreciated. The donation button to our secure online portal is below. |
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| Wisconsin law forbids wake creation on lakes under 50-acres, whether the waves are caused by a power boat, personal watercraft or wakeboat. This leaves approximately 2,350 lakes eligible for wake sports.
Per data from our coalition partner Last Wilderness Alliance, there are now 39 local ordinances in place that regulate or prohibit enhanced wake creation. These ordinances collectively protect approximately 260 lakes.
A recent success story is the Town of Chicog in Washburn County. On March 12th they passed an ordinance prohibiting enhanced wake creation covering the seven lakes over 50 acres under their jurisdiction.
Does your town, municipality or lake district need help enacting a local ordinance? Last Wilderness Alliance (LWA) is leading this effort with free support for municipalities interested in exploring an enhanced wake sports ordinance. LWA now has a team of volunteers working across the state. They will guide you through the process, attend town meetings and assist with any questions.
LWA can be reached here. |
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| This Monster breaks the $500,000 price barrier |
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| In each newsletter we highlight new model wakeboats that are now on the market. These monsters are larger and more powerful than their predecessors from a few years ago. The new models are now creating 4.5 foot high waves, a full one to two feet higher than earlier models. And these new, bigger wakeboats haven’t been utilized in any of the previous wave impact studies done in the last several years.
Let’s take a look at the new MasterCraft XStar 25
Here are your basic specs:
Length: 25’ 7”
Seats: 18 people
Dry Weight: 8,400 lbs
Extra Ballast Weight: 4,050 lbs
Total Weight with full ballast: 12,450 lbs
Engine Horsepower: 630hp
List Price: $530,793
That’s one amazing boat and it will be coming to your local Wisconsin lake soon. Armor your shorelines now because these waves are going to be BIG!
Or work with us so that you are not footing the bill for property damage due to a very small minority of enhanced wake sport enthusiasts. |
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| Lakes at Stake Wisconsin – Downward Bottom Crater and Propwash Videos
Give the videos above a view if you have not already seen them. Many of the Wisconsin lake impacts discussed therein have now been validated by the Lake Waramaug study. |
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| We deeply appreciate your support in protecting our lakes. As a bipartisan volunteer group, your donations fund our lobbying in Madison and our educational efforts. Visit lakesatstake.org for updates. |
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| Copyright (C) 2025 Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Inc.
All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested to receive information from Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Inc.
Our mailing address is:
Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Inc PO Box 635 Cedarburg, WI 53012 USA |
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