If you live in NY and like to wakesurf, this bill concerns you. It was put forth in January of 2018 as an attempt to amend navigational law to prohibit wakesurfing or the use of ballast to create a wake within 600 feet of shore. I plan on meeting with our local senator to discuss this bill, and I would be really interested in knowing where other people stand. Please leave your opinion below. For more information, there is an article about this bill on The Keuka Boardroom's "Articles and Reviews" tab.
My personal opinion is that the idea behind this bill (to prevent shoreline erosion from waves) is noble, but this bill will only cause more problems. Ballast waves have a minuscule effect on erosion, and amending navigational law should be taken very seriously. On Keuka Lake, for example, adherence to this law would force all surfers to operate in a narrow strip in the center of the lake. That sort of congested traffic is even less safe for the environment, not to mention the surfers.
I e-mailed Senator Thomas F. O'Mara who proposed this ridiculous bill. If anyone wants to chime in this is the link. https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/thomas-f-omara
Wakesurf boats do NOT cause erosion. And you are correct Brooke that this will cause unsafe boating conditions for wakesurfers. This is yet another attempt by government bureaucrats to control every aspect of our lives.