NASBLA Public Library

This stakeholder summary report documents two facilitated discussions conducted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regarding wakeboarding and wakesurfing activities on Virginia waterways. The report captures perspectives from boating safety organizations, marina operators, property owners, marine manufacturers, local government representatives, law enforcement advisors, and watersports industry stakeholders concerning shoreline erosion, operational safety, user conflict, and regulatory distance requirements for towed watersports. Participants evaluated potential management approaches including expanded educational outreach, public awareness campaigns, shoreline setback standards, operational distance regulations, and pilot management programs on heavily used lakes such as Lake Anna. The report provides valuable insight into collaborative stakeholder engagement processes and demonstrates how consensus-building can support the development of practical, evidence-informed recreational boating policies. For Boating Law Administrators, policymakers, and marine law enforcement agencies, this resource serves as a useful case study in balancing safety, shoreline protection, recreational access, and public compliance within shared-use waterways.