You may be unaware that the state of Wisconsin passed recent legislation, SB 12, which restricts boaters on navigable waterways. It enforces a 100 foot no-wake-zone on all navigable waterways. This amendment will require motorboats to be operated at slow-no-wake speeds when within 100 feet of the shoreline of any navigable waterway. Currently, there is no restriction for motorboats other than 100 feet away from piers and rafts. There are many narrow sections of navigable bodies of water such as the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes, sections of the Menominee River, and many of the smaller lakes in our county. This law would require boats to travel through channels at a slow-no-wake speed. The danger that would result from increased congestion in the center of the channel would dramatically decrease the distance between passing vessels and unreasonably increase risk to water-skiers and towables. For the past fifty or 60 years boaters in Florence County have successfully navigated the waters, maintaining a stellar safety record.
The unspoken impact of this legislation is the potential revenue loss to an already strained Florence County tax revenue base. Tourists will seek less unrestricted waters and take their money with them. There will be a direct decrease in sales tax revenue from gasoline, food and beverages, and recreational sports vendors. Florence County will no longer be known as a county friendly to recreation. The resulting loss of revenue and jobs in these trying economic times is completely unacceptable and must be prevented. We need to find ways to increase the tax base and to create new revenue and job sources. These restrictions will not serve that goal.
Please sign this petition if you do not agree with restrictions proposed in SB 12 and would like to see our navigable waterways unrestricted for all boating enthusiasts to enjoy.
