JOIN THE COALITION TO MANAGE THE IMPACT OF WAKESPORTS

Wisconsin Lakes is partnering with other Wisconsin nonprofit organizations and private businesses to call for statewide standards to limit the impact on the safety and enjoyment of lake users as well as on the lake environment from watercraft using ballast tanks and other devices to enhance their wakes.

Your lake organization is welcome and encouraged to join this coalition as well!

Wisconsin Lakes, Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and Last Wilderness Alliance all joined forces to develop a platform that we believe protects Wisconsin’s lake resources without being overly restrictive of the right to recreate on our lakes. This core group has been joined by many other groups who agree with our principles and wish to see something move forward in the next legislative session.

Specifically, we are calling for:

Local Control – Local municipalities’ existing right to enact or maintain local ordinances that are more restrictive than these state minimums shall be preserved

700 Feet From Shore – Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur at least 700’ from the shoreline.

30-Foot Depth – Wake-enhanced boating activities must be done in depths of no less than 30 feet.

Prevent Invasive Species in Ballast Tanks – Boats moving from lake to lake must have proof of decontaminated ballast tanks before entering lakes

Read more and find out how your organization can join the coalition…

SUPPORT WI LAKES

In this season of giving, you’ve no doubt received requests from so, so many organizations. Many of those requests probably feature a message of looming and deep threats to the environment, to nonprofit organizations, and to our present way of doing things.

And they aren’t wrong! Like most groups, Wisconsin Lakes faces enormous challenges in 2025 – from working to enact meaningful legislation that will reduce impacts to our lakes from recreational watercraft and wakesports, to calling for a state budget that provides adequate state funding for crucial water work on AIS and water quality, and even to ensuring a smooth transition in leadership within our own organization.

But in a time a massive change, we see massive opportunities. And you can help us grab ahold of those opportunities and make them a reality.

Together, we can build a statewide lakes organization that meets the needs of a new era by:

• Fully supporting our member organizations’ needs,
• Providing individuals with a way to feel connected to solutions for our lakes’ wicked problems, and
• Robustly leading in partnership Wisconsin’s efforts to work towards clean and safe waters that are enjoyed by all

Join your friends and partners in the Wisconsin lakes community, and give generously so we may all meet the opportunities that 2025 and beyond lay before us!