Read about Senate Bill 812, spread the word, and contact your Michigan State Senator to let them know you support better protections for our shorelines and bottomlands. This legislation is very much the same as the House Bill introduced in 2023, which didn’t even get a hearing. Let’s make sure things are different this time!
Wisconsin’s Wake Legislation
Wisconsin Riparians were in a fight earlier this month when the boating industry tried to push through a bill that would require a 200-foot setback from shore, but no depth requirement, and it would also take away the ability of local groups to take their own action to protect their lakes. That bill was defeated, and had a lot to do with crane hunting! Get the full story about Wisconsin’s battle from Lakes At Stake.
Indiana’s Wake Legislation
Indiana has also been working to control the damage of boat wakes on their inland lakes. They were successful in passing a bill just last week that would accomplish two things: No wake surfing (which can be done at speeds just under 10 mph) between sunset and sunrise. And no wakeboarding or wake surfing on small lakes (300 acres or less), which generally have a 10-mph speed limit, unless a special ruling has been granted from the Natural Resources Commission. In addition, if a small lake has speed exemptions already in place (for example, skiing only between the hours of 1-4 pm), then wakeboarding activities must align with the same hours.
Link to Indiana’s Passed Legislation on wake boats: IN HB 1062