HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-021 - Res. Establishing Temporary Wake Boat Advisory Committee Resolution No. O 10-Oa.\
ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY WAKE BOAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO
REVIEW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING POTENTIAL
REGULATION ATION OF WAKE-ENHANCED MOTORBOAT OPERATIONS WITHIN
MASON COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Mason County Board of County Commissioners ("Board")has received requests
to consider regulations governing wake-enhanced motorboat operations on lakes within Mason County;
and,
WHEREAS, proposed regulations have been developed to address concerns regarding shoreline
erosion, aquatic habitat impacts, water quality degradation, public safety, and potential damage to private
and public property associated with wake-enhanced motorboat operations and
WHEREAS, the proposed regulations would prohibit wake-enhanced motorboat operations on
lakes that do not possess sufficient depth,size,and configuration to reasonably accommodate such activities
without causing undue hann;and,
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the issue affects a broad range of stakeholders, including
property owners, recreational boaters, lake users, environmental interests, and the public, and the Board
wishes to obtain additional public input and technical information prior to considering adoption of any
ordinance regulating wake-enhanced motorboat operations;and,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Mason County Board of County Commissioners,
as follows:
1. Establishment of Committee
The Board hereby establishes a temporary Wake Boat Advisory Committee ("Committee") to
review,evaluate,and provide recommendations to the Board regarding the potential adoption of regulations
governing wake-enhanced motorboat operations within Mason County.
2. Purpose and Scope
The Committee shall:
a. Review the proposed ordinance regulating wake-enhanced motorboat operations;
b. Consider available scientific,environmental, safety, and technical information regarding wake-
enhanced motorboat operations;
c.Evaluate lake characteristics,including size,depth,configuration,shoreline conditions,and other
relevant factors that may affect the suitability of wake-enhanced motorboat operations;
d. Receive and consider public input from interested stakeholders;and
e. Provide findings and recommendations to the Board regarding whether regulations should be
adopted and, if so,any recommended modifications to the proposed ordinance.
3. Membership
The Committee will endeavor to consist of eight(8)members appointed by the Board as follows:
a. Three (3) members, one from each Commissioner District, representing interests that support
wake-enhanced motorboat operations;.
b.Three(3)members,one from each Commissioner District, representing interests that oppose or
seek restrictions on wake-enhanced motorboat operations;and
c.Two(2)members possessing relevant technical expertise in fields such as limnology,hydrology,
environmental science,fisheries, boating safety,engineering, or related disciplines.
4. Meetings
The Committee-shall meet as necessary to accomplish its purpose.
5. Report and Recommendations
The Committee shall submit a written report and recommendation to the Board upon completion
of its review. The report may include majority and minority recommendations if consensus cannot be
reached.
6. Duration
The Committee is intended to be temporary in nature and shall automatically dissolve upon the
earliest.of:
a. Submission of its final report to the Board;or
b. Final action by the Board regarding the proposed wake-enhanced motorboat ordinance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to
modify the composition,duties,or duration of the Committee as necessary.
DATED this day of3tne. .2026.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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McKenzie Smi 1,Clerk of the Board Pat Tarzwell,Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Rand Neatherlin,Vice-Chair
Tim ' ead,Chief De ut;y Prosecuting gose_y�
Attorney Sharon Trask,Commissioner