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Category: Lake Policy

Wakesports Legislation Update

No hearings yet, but some positive movement on AB655/SB680? Here’s what we know on wakesports legislation in Wisconsin headed into the holiday break By Wisconsin Lakes With Wisconsin legislators mostly leaving the state capitol to be home for the holidays, it seems a good time to take stock of the recent flurry of wakesports related […]

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You’ve Got (a lake district notification) Email!

Act 62 Allows Lake District Official Notifications to be Sent by Email By Wisconsin Lakes staff Earlier this month, Governor Evers signed SB85 into law, creating 2023 Act 62, which allows lake protection and rehabilitation districts and county boards to use email as a form of official district notices in certain circumstances. Under Chapter 33 […]

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Second wakesports bill would protect Wisconsin’s lakes

Using standards from the recent Wisconsin Conservation Congress resolutions, Sen. Andre Jacque’s proposal provides a compelling alternative to AB656/SB680 Wisconsin Lakes Supports this Proposal (with the condition noted below) Sen. André Jacque (R-DePere) entered the wakesports fray last week, releasing a proposal that would manage wakesports on Wisconsin waters under terms largely in line with […]

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Bill would limit regulation of wakesports; remove local authority to manage impacts

AB656/SB680 fails to provide meaningful standards and prohibits local governments from being stricter, while allowing them to be weaker The bill Wisconsin Lakes reported on in October was formally introduced into the Wisconsin legislature with no changes. LRB-3518 is now AB656 in the Assembly and SB680 in the Senate. Wisconsin Lakes is OPPOSED AB655/SB680 would […]

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The Felzkowski/Swearingen Wakesports Bill – Next Legislative Steps

Understanding the legislative process of the AB656/SB680 As Wisconsin Lakes previously reported, the wakesports bill authored by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) was introduced into the Wisconsin Legislature in late November. We’ve received many questions regarding what’s next for the bill in the legislative process. Here’s a primer on where AB656 […]

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ACTION ALERT: PROPOSED WAKESPORTS BILL FALLS SHORT

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO LET THEM KNOW LRB-3518 IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT WISCONSIN’S LAKES AND THOSE THAT USE THEM By Michael Engleson, Executive Director A bill proposed by Rep. Robert Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) and Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) to regulate wakesurfing and wakeboarding fails to provide any meaningful protection against the activities’ impacts. While Wisconsin […]

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State budget process begins

Governor Evers announced his ideas for spending in the state for the next two years; Proposes increased funding for PFAS, but mostly status quo on other water-related programs By Michael Engleson, Wisconsin Lakes Governor Evers state budget proposal for the next two years features a host of water-related items but limits any major new initiatives […]

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APM Rules Before NRB in August

UPDATED ~ Integrated Aquatic Plant Management Rulemaking Heads to Natural Resources Board – Deadline for written comments/request to speak is now Aug 5 at 11am By Wisconsin Lakes staff Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resource’s bid to update and consolidate the rules surrounding aquatic plant management takes its next step on August 10, 2022 when the […]

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Impaired Waters List Input Opportunity

DNR Seeks Public Comment On Updated Water Condition Lists Wisconsin Lakes reposts relevant news releases from the WI DNR as a service to its members FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 29, 2021Contact: Ashley Beranek, DNR Surface Water Quality Assessments Coordinator or 608-267-9603 MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on revised water condition […]

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