MN SF4499

Commissioner of Natural Resources must adopt a new rule in Minnesota Rules chapter 6110 restricting wake surfing on a six-mile pool of the Mississippi River from the U.S. Highway 169 bridge in Champlin to the Coon Rapids Dam.

Watercraft operators are prohibited from deploying specially designed built-in ballast systems or using intentionally placed weight to create increased water displacement for wake surfing or any other purpose.

"Wake surf" is defined as surfing a wake regardless of whether being pulled by a tow rope, or operating a boat that creates a wake intended to be surfed by another person.

Local governments retain authority to regulate wake surfing more than 450 feet from shore under existing Minnesota Rules chapter 6110.

Penalties for violations are provided under Minnesota Statutes section 86B.811, and the commissioner may use good cause exempt procedures to adopt the rule.