After three months of public hearings, amendments and strong opposition from the recreational boating community, the Kootenai County Commission in Kootenai County, Idaho, passed an ordinance prohibiting boaters from engaging in activities that create “excessive wakes” by a 2-1 vote, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association website.

The ordinance defines “excessive wake” as “plowing or using any enhancement to increase a wake size including use of ballast, mechanical hydrofoils or uneven loading.” Kootenai County passed an ordinance in 2020 which instituted a 150-foot setback for excessive wake. Several local property owners affected by the ordinance have filed a lawsuit against the Commission to overturn the ordinance.