Commission approves 200-foot wake-sports buffer, exempts Lake Beshear

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission on Dec. 5 adopted new regulations limiting wake-sports to specified eligible waters and requiring a minimum setback from shore and marinas, approving a 200-foot buffer while excluding Lake Beshear.

Director Greaves told commissioners the draft rule would define “wake sports” and “wake boat” and would permit wake-sports only a set distance from shore and commercial docks on listed water bodies. Greaves said the department originally proposed a 300-foot buffer and ballast-draining requirements; staff also provided a list of eligible waters that includes Kentucky Lake, Lake Cumberland, Lake Barkley, Green River Lake and others.

Several commissioners pressed staff on enforceability and asked what science supports a 300-foot standard. Greaves summarized studies showing different distances—industry guidance around 200 feet, some academic work suggesting 500 feet, and varied buffers in other states—and said staff chose a simple distance-based approach rather than a depth- or zone-based map.

Commissioners from border counties argued for consistency with neighboring Tennessee, which uses 200 feet, and a motion was made and seconded to adopt a 200-foot buffer for the listed lakes while removing Lake Beshear from the approved-list because of its limited area and depth. After roll-call voting, the commission approved the motion.

The action includes ballast-draining language requiring wake-boat users to drain ballast tanks "to the full extent practical" when leaving a body of water and before exiting a ramp. Director Greaves said the ballast provision and other conforming regulatory language remain as written.

Next steps: the regulation will be finalized in the administrative rulemaking process; staff indicated they will continue outreach and enforcement planning to aid law enforcement in interpreting and applying the buffer standard.