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Residents, board press DNR for more study on wake‑surfing impacts and enforcement
Summary
Public commenters urged the Natural Resources Board and Department of Natural Resources to take stronger action on wake‑surfing boats, citing aquatic‑vegetation loss, phosphorus disturbance and invasive‑species transfer. The board asked staff to schedule an informational briefing for the June meeting to clarify enforcement and policy options.
Madison and Presque Isle residents called on the Natural Resources Board and Department of Natural Resources on May 28 to address environmental and enforcement concerns tied to wake‑surfing boats, and board members agreed to pursue a public briefing on the issue in June.
The public commenters said wake‑surfing boats’ ballast systems and propwash damage submerged vegetation and stir up phosphorus. Jim Olsen, a Madison petitioner, told the board that industry drone studies and local observations “show propwash from wake surfing boats extends at least 26 feet below the surface” and that in Lake Beulah “vegetation beyond 20 feet deep has been destroyed.” Richard Phillips of Presque Isle said local governments are…
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