Legislative Update February 16, 2002 During 1999 The Minnesota Lakes Association presented their task teams model law, which is a complete rewrite of the Minnesota Surface water use policy section 86B.001 to the Minnesota Legislature as a proposal for "A bill for an act". This proposed legislation detrimentally affects the sport of water skiing, among other lake recreational activities, and specifically would eliminate current sites for practice and tournament sites for slalom, trick, jump, bare footers, wake boarding, and water ski show performances. To accomplish this the MLA has retained a lobbyist to lobby for the support and passage of this legislation. Through the support of our state water skiers this legislation did not move forward in the 2000 legislative session. The MLA apparently decided that the sport of water skiing needed further restrictions. Their lobbyist worked toward finding legislative. Support for a mandated 150-foot no wake zones around the perimeter of all lakes in the State of Minnesota. This proposed legislation would continue to have the same effect of eliminating practice and tournament sites for the various water ski clubs in the state. During the 2001 legislative session two bills were introduced for the purpose of legislating a 150 foot no wake zone for all lakes in the state. Senate File 0699. Was introduced by Senator Kinkel (DFL, Park Rapids) February 1, 2001 and referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee for a hearing. House File 1281, the companion bill, was introduced by Representative Kelliher (DFL, Minneapolis) March 26, 2001 and referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee for a hearing Neither bill received a hearing during the 2001 legislative session. According the latest MLA news letter the 150 foot no wake zone is still part of their legislative agenda for 2002 Should this legislation be passed during this legislative session it would probably be the demise of competitive and show skiing performances in the State of Minnesota. There is no need for this type of legislation: 1. There are policies and procedures in place for local units of government to implement more restrictive water surface use legislation if warranted on a given lake in their jurisdiction. To date over 50% of our 87 counties have implemented some type of additional water surface use requirements on lakes requiring such action. 2. The proposed legislation would be very difficult to enforce. Especially for those counties that have hundreds of lakes with in their boarders. 3. This proposed legislation effects the lakes best suited for practice sites. 67% of our lakes are less than 100 acres in size. Due to the lake configuration of these smaller lakes the probability exists that the 150 foot no wake zone would overlap in the middle of the lake, making it legally impossible for us to set up practice sites, tournament sites and show ski performance sites. 4. The effect of having to practice well beyond the 150 foot no wake zone to insure compliance with the proposed legislation would mean rougher water conditions and meaning full practice would no longer be available. The end results would be that it would be very difficult for our skiers to compete at the regional, national, and world levels of competition. 5. It would probably put an end to water ski activities that have become a part of the summer festivities celebrated by many of our resort located cities and communities that look forward to the water skiing events to help make their activities a success. We all need to work together to preserve the sport of water skiing in the State of Minnesota that is the Birthplace of Water Skiing. Please contact your State Senator and Representatives and voice your opinion to repeal any legislation that adds additional water restrictions (use the 150 foot as an example). We need to take action to preserve our sport! Thank you Jim Olson 651.484.8069 email jimro2001@msn.com