Wake-surfing ordinance stalled as Town of Elcho awaits lawsuit outcome; watersports group reaffirms proposal

Jeff McKinney, representing the Town of Elcho, told the Post Lakes Protection & Rehabilitation District on May 16 that the town has not changed its position and will not address the district’s proposed enhanced wake-surfing ordinances at this time because a related lawsuit against the Township of Scott in Burnett County remains pending. The transcript of the meeting records the court case as scheduled for trial on Oct. 26, 2026.

Commissioners discussed parallel state-level conversations in Madison but said meaningful legislation appears unlikely in the near future. Meeting minutes note a suggestion that concerned citizens copy Sen. Cory Tomczyk, chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government, on correspondence about enhanced wake boating.

A representative of the Elcho-Schoepke Watersports Alliance reiterated the group’s commitment to the proposal it submitted to the district on Aug. 2, 2025. The minutes record frustration on both sides of the issue but show no formal action by the district or the Town of Elcho during the meeting.

The board previously received written correspondence on the topic from Russ Lund; Chair John Steber’s earlier response (via email) indicated that lake depth is the central unresolved issue preventing a compromise. No vote or ordinance adoption occurred during the meeting.