Thank you, TOSL leaders, volunteers and residents, for working to protect the Spider Chain of Lakes for future generations.  See below for the Sawyer County Record article that includes you speaking up for the lakes at the Public Hearing October 2, 2025

Spider Lake Residents Show Support For Restrictions On Wake Enhancement

Sawyer County Record Oct. 8, 2025 Celia Hiorns

A draft ordinance proposes restricting wake enhanced boating on all waters in the Town of Spider Lake.

Residents expressed overwhelming support for an ordinance that would restrict wake-enhanced boating in the Town of Spider Lake during a public hearing held last week.

“Given the town’s mission, strategy, overall goals of protecting and preserving the environment, I think it’s critical that the board move forward and implement the proposed ordinance,” one speaker said. “And I’m fully in support of that.”

Specifically, the ordinance seeks to prevent boaters from using ballast tanks or other features “to operate in a bow-high manner,” or from operating continuously at transition speed. These activities enhance a boat’s wake, producing adverse impacts on the environment and safety, according to the proposed ordinance. The rule would not prevent the use of wake boats for activities that do not create enhanced wakes.

Penalties for not complying with the ordinance would result in forfeitures of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense within one year.

The ordinance was already reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as is required for ordinances that regulate boating on inland lakes under Wis. Stat. 30.77. In its Aug. 8 letter to the Town of Spider Lake, the DNR indicated that the ordinance is in compliance with state statutes. The town then had 60 days to hold a public hearing on the ordinance.

Seven in-person and online speakers each spoke in favor of the ordinance. Residents pointed to environmental hazards and safety concerns as some of the top issues with wake-enhanced boating.

Prior to the drafting of the ordinance restricting wake-enhanced boating, the Town of Spider Lake Board of Supervisors assembled an ad hoc committee to research the impacts of all boating activities on the town’s lakes, according to the ordinance condition report sent to the DNR.

Some of the environmental impacts of wake-enhanced boating as documented by the committee included shoreline erosion, destruction of fish spawning beds and increased water turbidity.

Ad hoc committee chair Bob Berkopec said during the hearing that the research found little to no evidence that suggested wake-enhanced activities were safe for the environment. He emphasized that it’s not the boats themselves but how they’re used to generate large wakes that can be destructive.

Another resident, Jay Hoeschler, said while he personally enjoys some wake-enhanced activities like wake boarding, he thinks it should be confined to larger water bodies like Lake Superior.

“It’s a wonderful activity but it’s clear to us ... this is not the lake to do it at,” he said. “And any of the lakes we have in Spider Lake, this is not the proper place.”

Other speakers worried about the long-term impacts of environmental degradation caused by enhanced wakes. Multiple speakers shared they had years- or decades-long ties to the Spider Chain of Lakes — a natural resource they hope can endure to future generations.

“In my opinion, the greatest danger to the health of our lakes is the wake surfing activity and the enhanced wake creation,” said Tom Oatman, another speaker who served on the ad-hoc boating committee.

Another concern raised by residents included the impacts of enhanced wake boating to other lake users. Speakers pointed out how enhanced wakes can prevent people from being able to enjoy the lake while paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing or otherwise boating without an engine.

One property owner said without enhanced wake boating, his property already experiences high levels of erosion. Enhanced wake activities only make the impacts greater.

Hoeschler described wake-enhanced boating as “vandalizing” the lakes, which he said is unfair to property owners. He added the community and local government has invested a lot of money over the past 10 years to maintain lake quality and he was in support of the proposed ordinance’s goal to uphold that effort.

Johnson also summarized the 16 written comments he received over email about the proposed ordinance. Fifteen of them reflected similar sentiments to those shared during the public hearing. The remaining written comment suggested a compromise to allow wake-enhanced activities at certain depths or distances from the shore.

At least 63 Wisconsin municipalities have ordinances regulating wake-enhanced activities, according to Last Wilderness Alliance. That total includes some municipalities in Sawyer County such as the Towns of Hayward, Round Lake and Bass Lake.

The Town of Spider Lake Board will now take into consideration public comments as supervisors prepare to vote on whether to enact the ordinance. Johnson said that would take place during a special board meeting, likely scheduled for late October.

https://www.apg-wi.com/sawyer_county_record/paywall/spider-lake-residents-show-support-for-restrictions-on-wake-enhancement/article_965404d4-02c7-43a9-9843-89534e1fabcf.html

LEARN MORE:

NEWS pages of SCLA Website:

8/15/25:  "WDNR Clears the Way...." (links TOSL Submission/ColorMap)

9/26/25:  "Restricting Wake Enhancement...." (links BOAHC report & Summary)