General interest

Happy Holidays!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we bring 2022 to a close, I am deeply grateful for the work we’ve accomplished together to protect the beautiful lakes and waterways of Vilas County.

The last couple of years have brought new challenges that impact our wonderful lake and river heritage. Your commitment and support have been crucial in helping shape and progress our efforts to address these concerns.

Thank you for all you do to keep our natural waters clean and beautiful! Today and every day, we are thankful for the difference you make.

On behalf of the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association board, we wish you a happy holiday season and new year, and we look forward to working with you and accomplishing even more in the new year!

Tom Ewing
President of VCLRA
president@vclra.org

General interest

Wake Boats a hot topic at Wisconsin NRB

The effects of enhanced waves from wake surf boats have been the topic of much concern and research in recent years. VCLRA and Vilas-based Last Wilderness Alliance (LWA) have been working together to inform the public and address hazardous wake issues. An article on our work will appear in the next VCLRA newsletter available in January 2023.

LWA leadership has appeared before the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) to provide testimony about the safety and environmental concerns that Hazardous Wakes pose to Wisconsin lakes. Action by the NRB could lead to DNR regulation and possible state-wide legislation. Last week, the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board met to examine the issues surrounding wake boats to look at actions, including new laws, to address the issues. A presentation on boating regulations and enforcement by wardens relevant to wake boats is shown below.

NRB Meeting on December 14, 2022

An article also recently appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlighting the rising concern about wake boats in Wisconsin. Read the Sentinel article: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/outdoors/2022/12/18/wisconsin-residents-seek-to-minimize-damage-to-nature-from-wake-boats/69735263007/.