Sand Lake Wake Ordinance

SAND LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ENHANCED WAKE ORDINANCE

NO. 2021-01

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 30.77(3)(am)1.a. an ordinance to regulate boating upon the waters of Sand Lake, Barron County, and prescribing penalties for violation thereof:

The Sand Lake Management District does ordain as follows:

Section 1 — Applicability and Enforcement: The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to Sand Lake within Town of Maple Plain, Barron County.  This ordinance shall be enforced by the Sand Lake Management District.

Section 2 — Intent: Sand Lake is 318 acres and approximately three miles long, 1,800 feet wide at its widest, and 80 feet at its narrowest.  The intent of this ordinance is to protect public health, safety, and welfare, including the public’s interest in preserving Sand Lake.  The ordinance is intended to provide safe and healthful conditions for the enjoyment of aquatic recreation consistent with public rights and interests and minimize shoreline erosion.

Section 3 — State Boating and Safety Laws Adopted: State boating laws as found in Wis. Stat. § 30.50 to 30.71, are adopted by reference here.

Section 4 — Penalties: Wisconsin state boating penalties as found in s. Wis. Stat. § 30.80, deposits established in the Uniform Deposit and Bail Schedule established by the Wisconsin Judicial Conferences are hereby adopted by reference and all references to fines amended to forfeitures and all references to imprisonment are deleted.

Section 5 — Severability: The provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed severable and it is expressly declared that the Sand Lake Management District, Barron County would have passed the other provisions of this ordinance irrespective of whether or not one or more provisions may be declared invalid.  If any provision of this ordinance or the application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance of the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

Section 6 — Motorboat Wake Prohibition:

1.      Subject to paragraph (2) below, no person shall operate a motor boat as defined in Wis. Stat. § 30.50(6) on the waters within Sand Lake, Maple Plain Township, Barron County, Wisconsin in a manner to enhance an elevated wake for over 50 feet in length.  An elevated wake is a trail of disturbed water left by the passage of a watercraft in excess of 18 inches.  Such prohibited operation shall apply to wake enhancement equipment on motor boats such as ballasts, mechanical hydrofoils(s), uneven loading or operation at transition speed.  Transition speed means the speed at which the motor boat is operating at greater than slow-no-wake speed, but not fast enough so the boat is planing.

2.      This section does not prohibit or interfere with the operation of a motor boat in a manner to enhance an elevated wake between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Such operation shall be as close to the middle of the lake as practicable.

Section 7 — Posting Requirements: The Sand Lake Management District shall place and maintain a synopsis of this ordinance at all public access points within the jurisdiction of the of the Sand Lake Management District pursuant to the requirements of NR 5.15, Wis. Adm. Code.

Section 8 — Effective Date: This ordinance will become effective upon its passage.

Here is the Wisconsin statute 30.80 specifying penalties. (1) Any person violating any provision of ss. 30.50 to 30.80 for which a penalty is not provided under subs. (2) to (6) shall forfeit not more than $500 for the first offense and shall forfeit not more than $1,000 upon conviction of the same offense a 2nd or subsequent time within one year.