After consideration of the comments obtained at the public hearing held over Labor Day weekend, the town board has created a proposed ordinance regarding wake enhancement activities.

The proposed ordinance will be posted on the website shortly when we post the official notice of a pubic hearing for people to comment on the changes.  The public hearing will be held on October 19th at 10 am at the Doty Town Hall.  (The first hearing was for the board to learn what was desired so that we could craft an ordinance.  This hearing is to hear from the public about the proposed ordinance.)  The town will also accept written or electronic comments – details will be specified in the notice.

The changes include:

     Adding definitions related to wake enhancement activities

     Prohibiting wake enhancement activities if operating <200′ from shore, swimmers, no wake areas, non powered craft.  in areas with <15′ water depth or when water level is exceptionally high.

     Boats with asymetrical wakes have to direct the strong side wake towards the center of the lake

     Lastly, for the island on Boot Lake, a slow-no-wake of 200′ was established around that island for all water craft to protect Loon nesting sites.

The changes above are only summaries.  The final draft is subject to change based on review by the town attourney, the DNR and public input at the town hearing. 

The expected timeline for changes is:

October 19 – hold public hearing and then board approves final draft ordinance

November – Town sends draft ordinance and condition report to DNR.  (Condition report will be posted on town website as well)

January / February – Town receives comments from DNR, makes any changes and approves final ordinance (public comment will occur at this meeting)

Spring 2024 – Town obtains signs and posts at public boat landings.  Town also informs resorts and BnBs and public of changes