A coalition focused on protecting Wisconsin’s lakes from wake-enhanced boating is ready for challenges.
Fred Prehn is a former chair of the state Natural Resources Board and a board member of the Lakes At Stake coalition. He says their goal is simple.
“We wanna have regulation, solid sound regulation based on science which we have, which everybody has, to protect the glacial lakes of Wisconsin,” Prehn said.
Wake boats have large ballast tanks which create wakes large enough to surf behind. Lakes advocates say the downforce created scours lake bottoms, to the detriment of fish habitat and water quality. More than 40 local ordinances prohibit or restrict their use in the state, which Prehn says is ground zero for the wake boat industry.
“Wisconsin is one of the major boating hubs in the nation, and whatever happens in Wisconsin could happen the rest of the nation. They’re gonna fight us hard at the local level. That’s the first round, and we’re ready for it,” Prehn said.
Wake boat owners in Burnett County have filed suit against a local town board, claiming an ordinance prohibiting the boats on four shallow lakes is preventing them from using their properties.