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Port Edwards trustees debate ordinance to curb ballast/wake boats; full-board discussion planned
Summary
Trustees spent the meeting debating a proposed ordinance to restrict ballast/wake boats, heard competing claims about scientific evidence and public representation, and agreed to present fuller information to the village board and neighboring municipalities before making a motion.
Port Edwards trustees spent more than an hour debating whether the village should lead on an ordinance to restrict ballast and enhanced-wake boats, agreeing to pursue broader input and a full-board discussion before moving a formal motion.
The debate began with public commenter Jason, who questioned whether the NEPCO Lake District represents homeowners and cautioned the committee against relying on studies he described as not specific to NEPCO Lake. "Does it really represent the homeowners and the public's viewpoints?" Jason asked, urging the village to emphasize education — signage, buoys and online resources — before enforcing new rules.
Trustee Hummel said the committee had sought input from neighboring towns and planned to present to Saratoga on Sept. 17. He reported the NEPCO Lake District had about 80 attendees at its meeting and 48 survey responses; the responses included support for the village exploring an ordinance. "We are invited to do that on September 17," Hummel said, describing an effort to get municipal comment, not a binding vote from neighbors.
Scott Stewart, the fire chief, summarized a large public hearing in Rome where a presenter explained ballast boats and their effects and reported strong support for regulation. "They had about a 45-minute presentation...it appeared 75 to 80% were in favor of Rome's ordinance," Stewart said, arguing that neighboring experience and public hearings were relevant to Port Edwards' decision.
Trustees clashed over the weight to give different studies. Hummel pointed to a Saint Anthony Falls laboratory report he characterized as peer-reviewed scientific work; Jason and others disputed how much of that research should govern a local ordinance and asked how broadly the village would adopt recommendations such as slower speeds in water shallower than 10 feet.
Several trustees urged caution. Trustee Taylor said he worried about legal exposure and wanted clearer data from other municipalities and the DNR before committing to a local ordinance. "If the DNR says yes, get the wake boats off, then that's what I would align to," Taylor said, noting ongoing litigation in some municipalities.
Rather than vote, the committee agreed to assemble more information and to take the topic to the full village board for a dedicated discussion or special meeting so all trustees can hear the same presentations. Ben (village staff) and the chair agreed to work with the village president on scheduling and to circulate DNR guidance and related materials in advance.
The committee did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting; trustees directed staff to coordinate intermunicipal outreach, share the DNR timeline and policy materials, and present the topic to the full board so members can decide whether to place an ordinance motion on a future agenda.
