Strong pushback from community on proposal to extend slow no wake zone

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — A proposal to extend the slow no wake zone on the Black River will not move forward after strong pushback from the community.

A public input meeting was held on Monday.

The proposal would add 1200 feet of slow wake in Pool #8 located on the Black River, from the north side of Clinton Street Bridge to the northern property of the Black River Beach House.

City officials say the extension would help increase safety on the nearby landing and beach.

President of the Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners, Steven Earp, said the pushback from the community was all but unexpected.

“We’ve had so many no wakes put into place that a lot of people have a problem with – where does it stop?“​​​​​​, said Earp.

Many at Monday’s public hearing heavily criticized the proposal for not showing why the change was even necessary.

Jeremiah Shaver, a concerned boater and President of the Wisconsin Bass Nation said “I’d like to see an investment in our boating facilities here in La Crosse, to make them safer, to make the boat landings nicer, the docks nicer, and to also help eradicate some of these potential issues.”

The public was also concerned that adding to the no wake zone would impact nearby businesses, tourism, and future bass fishing tournaments.

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