FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) -- Wake boaters in Kentucky could soon face new limits after Kentucky Fish and Wildlife commissioners voted Friday to advance regulations that tighten where wakesports are allowed.

The recommendation would require wakesports to take place at least 200 feet from shore on all sides and at least 200 feet from any commercial dock or harbor on eligible waterbodies. It also recommends banning wakesports entirely on several lakes across Kentucky.

These fifteen lakes in the state would still allow wakesports under the new guidelines:

  • Kentucky Lake
  • Lake Cumberland
  • Lake Barkley
  • Barren River Lake
  • Green River Lake
  • Cave Run Lake
  • Dale Hollow Lake
  • Laurel River Lake
  • Nolin River Lake
  • Rough River Lake
  • Taylorsville Lake
  • Herrington Lake
  • Yatesville Lake
  • Dewey Lake
  • Lake Linville

"We just made a list of the lakes that you could wakeboard on, and then we restricted all the lakes, all those lakes, to 200 feet from the shore, which is very minimal distance," said 2nd district commissioner, Jeff Raymer.

Raymer was one of four commissioners to vote in favor of recommending the regulations to state lawmakers.

Commissioners in favor of the new rule argue that studies show large wakes cause shoreline erosion, disturb sediment, harm fish habitats, and create algae blooms, damaging water quality and habitats.

"(Wake boarders) are still gonna be able to enjoy their sport," said commission chair Chuck Meade, who also supports the new regulations. "It's just they have to go by the new areas that have been designated for their sport."

However, wakesports proponents have worked with Fish and Wildlife commissioners to try and find a solution that doesn't restrict the sport.

"I think that overall, there's more impact on this than just saying, 'Hey, we've kept them 200 feet from shore,'" said Allison Daniel, who has been involved in wakesports for decades.

Daniel's husband owns TNT Watersports at Rough River Lake, a family-owned water‑sports retail and service business. She, and others who were vocal at Friday's meeting, believe the move could jeopardize safety of boaters at lakes across the state.

They argue the move would force wakesports into the middle of the lakes to stay within the proposed guidelines, in turn causing more congestion and overcrowding.

"There's safety concerns when we push riders into the middle of a lake, where we've got additional traffic that may be going 40, 50, 60 miles an hour down the middle of a lake, and now we're in their way," she said. "We can't be out of their way."

Lee Gatts, the Vice President of Government Relations for the Water Sports Industry Association, told WDRB News in a statement that the 200-foot setback requirement for wake surfing is supported by 'solid, peer-reviewed science and balances protection of Kentucky’s waterways with the rights of responsible boaters.'

The move aligns Kentucky with neighboring states, such as Tennessee, which has similar requirements for wakesports.

While Gatts added that the WSIA is pleased with the decision to adopt the 200-foot standard, there are concerns that this measure would make Kentucky the only state to restrict wake surfing to a predetermined list of waterways.

"Rather than arbitrary restrictions, a statewide, uniform 200-foot setback requirement would better address concerns and ensure fair access for responsible boaters," Gatts wrote in the statement. "We look forward to engaging with Kentucky lawmakers as they review the Commission’s decision."

Now that the commission has approved the motion to amend the rules for wakesports on Kentucky lakes, the recommendation will head to the desks of state legislators.

It's not clear when they could act on the recommendation.

Daniel and other proponents say they're hopeful that the eventual outcome will be geared toward safety and education instead of restrictions.

"If we can improve the way that we all boat and operate our boats as a community, then everybody wins," she said. "We're all safer and we're all better for it."

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