Dear Walworth Community News,

On May 22, the Town of Whitewater will hold a meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance that will ban wake surfing on Whitewater and Rice Lakes. I am writing to express my concerns and opposition to the proposed ordinance that would limit the recreational activity of wake sports. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation spread about wake boating and wake surfing.

The Wisconsin Public Trust Doctrine ensures public access to navigable waters for recreational purposes such as fishing, boating, and swimming. Any action that restricts these rights must be grounded in robust scientific evidence to confirm it is necessary, effective, and consistent with the Public Trust responsibilities outlined in the state constitution, not based on anecdotes or assumptions.

Wake boats, which comprise just 4% of boats on Wisconsin’s lakes, should not be singled out regarding aquatic invasive species (AIS). Efforts to address AIS should focus on all boats, particularly those that frequently move between lakes.

Water quality on Whitewater Lake has improved since 2017 as is evidenced in the Whitewater Rice Lakes Management District study in 2023.

Shoreline erosion research consistently shows that the primary drivers are natural and environmental factors, such as ice movement, runoff, fluctuating lake levels, natural wave action, and shoreline development, not boat wakes.

Further, I would support a 200-foot setback from the shore for all boats, as scientific evidence shows that at this distance, the wave height and energy of wake boats are comparable to those of ski boats, pontoons, and fishing boats. However, I do not support further restrictions.

Through safe and responsible boating practices, we can all peacefully coexist on our waters. Discriminating against a certain type of boat or activity will only divide us further. It is time to come together to ensure shared access for all.

Claudia Bellinger
N7568 Ridge Road
Whitewater, WI