NASBLA Public Library

The substantive findings of several peer reviewed scientific investigations that have been conducted in recent years clearly demonstrate that the upsurge in the number of wake enhanced boats operating on the inland lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region are likely responsible for rendering an array of adverse impacts on frequently exposed aquatic ecosystems. A dramatic increase in sales of recreational vessels that are designed and operated for the sole purpose of enabling enhanced wake dependent water sports by generating wakes that possess kinetic energy levels that greatly exceed those that occur naturally has helped gain the attention of state and local government officials, law enforcement agencies, lake managers, lake conservation advocacy groups, and the news media. In addition to their significant potential to have a negative impact on vulnerable aquatic ecosystems, regularly occurring, well publicized incidents involving high energy wake perpetrated over turned kayaks, swamped fishing boats, hazardous swimming conditions, and damage to moored boats, piers, and docks have served to help focus public attention on the frequently disruptive watercraft. Heated discussion regarding the difficult public policy question of whether operation of the increasingly popular though controversial water craft should somehow be restricted, or even banned in some cases, has now migrated from marinas to state capitols where legislators, and lobbyists representing the special interests of a powerful group of stakeholders remain deeply divided on the issue (Orenstein, 2020).