Protecting Lake Anna’s No Wake Surfing Zones

Why LACA Opposes the Southwind Shores Removal Application

The Lake Anna Civic Association opposes the application to remove the existing No Wake Surfing Zone at Southwind Shores. 

The current No Wake Surfing Zones at Southwind Shores, Kelly’s Landing, and Runnymede were established to address concerns involving boating safety, shoreline impacts, narrow residential waterways, and conflicts between wake surfing activity and surrounding lake use. These zones were created following prior public review processes involving local governments, lake residents, the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC), and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

The current application seeks removal of the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone and would reverse protections that were previously reviewed and approved through that public regulatory process.

This is not a new issue for LAAC. In fact, wake surfing restrictions and No Wake Surfing Zones have now been debated before LAAC multiple times over several years. The upcoming review of the Southwind Shores application will represent approximately the fourth time LAAC has considered major wake surfing regulatory issues at Lake Anna.

LACA opposes removal of the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone because the surrounding waterway remains narrow, shallow, and heavily residential in character. LACA believes the area does not provide the type of open-water conditions identified in current scientific and governmental research as appropriate for wake surfing activity.

Scientific studies and governmental reviews have consistently concluded that modern wake-surfing boats generate substantially larger and more energetic wakes than traditional recreational boats and that these wakes require significantly greater shoreline setbacks and deeper operating water in order to reduce impacts on:

• shoreline property,
• boating safety,
• aquatic habitat,
• sediment disturbance,
• water quality,
• and other lake users.

LACA supports responsible wake surfing on Lake Anna where sufficient shoreline distance, water depth, and operating conditions exist. However, LACA believes the existing No Wake Surfing Zones continue to serve an important role in protecting narrow residential waterways and maintaining reasonable balance among the many different users of Lake Anna.

Current Removal Application

An application has been submitted requesting removal of the existing No Wake Surfing Zone at Southwind Shores.

Review the Application

Review LACA’s Response and Rebuttal

Understanding the Regulatory Process

The application to remove the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone was submitted through Louisa County’s regulatory buoy and navigation marker process. Under that process, an applicant must submit the required application materials and pay a non-refundable $450.00 processing fee to Louisa County.

Although the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone is located in Spotsylvania County, applications involving regulatory buoys and navigation markers on Lake Anna are processed through Louisa County as part of the recently established Lake Anna buoy review process. Louisa County serves as the administrative coordinator for these applications and works with the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) during the review process before the application is ultimately forwarded to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for final determination.

After an application is received, Louisa County is responsible for notifying adjacent landowners and opening a public comment period. For this application, the public comment period ends on May 27.

Following the public comment period, the application will be reviewed by the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) during its public meeting scheduled for:

LAAC Public Meeting

Date: May 28
Time: 6:00 PM

Location:
Louisa County Office Building
Public Meeting Room
1 Woolfolk Avenue

Louisa, VA 23093

During the meeting, LAAC will review the application, consider public comments, and hear input from affected property owners, lake users, and other stakeholders before providing its recommendation.

What is LAAC?

The Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) is a multi-jurisdictional advisory body composed of representatives from:

• Louisa County
• Spotsylvania County
• Orange County
• Dominion Energy

LAAC reviews issues involving boating safety, navigation, recreation, environmental concerns, and lake management matters affecting Lake Anna.

LAAC serves strictly in an advisory capacity and does not make the final decision regarding regulatory buoys or No Wake Surfing Zones. However, LAAC will ultimately make a recommendation regarding whether the application should be approved o denied before the matter is forwarded to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for final determination.

Final Authority Rests with DWR

After LAAC completes its review and provides its recommendation, the application is forwarded to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), which has final authority over the approval, modification, installation, or removal of regulatory buoys and No Wake Surfing Zones on Lake Anna.

Because DWR makes the final decision, public comments submitted during the Louisa County and LAAC review process are important and become part of the record considered before any final action is taken.

Process Summary

Application submitted to Louisa County
↓
$450 application fee paid
↓
Adjacent landowners notified
↓
Public comment period through May 27
↓
LAAC public review and recommendation
↓
Final decision by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)

How You Can Help

LACA encourages residents, property owners, and lake users to respectfully participate in the public comment process by submitting comments regarding the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone application.

Public comments submitted during the Louisa County and LAAC review process become part of the overall record forwarded to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for final review and consideration. Public participation matters, and the number of comments submitted helps demonstrate the level of community interest and concern surrounding this issue.

Where to Send Comments

Please email your comments to:

info@louisacounty.gov

Please copy:

greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

Suggested Subject Line

Oppose Removal of the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone

Topics You May Wish to Address

You do not need to be an expert or write a lengthy letter. Personal experiences and respectful comments are valuable.

You may wish to discuss:

• boating safety concerns created by large surf wakes in narrow residential waterways,
• shoreline erosion and repeated wave impacts on docks, lifts, bulkheads, and moored boats,
• impacts on swimmers, paddlers, fishermen, and other lake users,
• water quality concerns associated with sediment resuspension and turbidity caused by wake surfing in shallow water,
• concerns that sediment and nutrient disturbance may contribute to harmful algal bloom (HAB) conditions and reduced water clarity,
• the growing body of scientific research recommending wake surfing occur approximately 500 feet or more from shorelines, docks, swimmers, and other protected areas,
• scientific studies supporting wake surfing only in waters approximately 20 feet deep or greater to reduce lakebed disturbance and environmental impacts,
• the importance of preserving existing No Wake Surfing Zones in narrow, shallow, and heavily developed residential areas,
• or the need for reasonable balance among all recreational users of Lake Anna.

Scientific studies and governmental research supporting these concerns are available on LACA’s Scientific Research page.

Need Help Writing a Comment?

If you would like assistance preparing or organizing your comments, please contact:

greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

LACA is happy to help residents and lake users develop respectful, effective, and fact-based public comments for submission during the review process.

Attend the LAAC Public Meeting

LACA encourages residents, property owners, and lake users to attend the upcoming Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) meeting regarding the Southwind Shores No Wake Surfing Zone removal application.

Public attendance matters. A strong public presence helps demonstrate the level of community interest and concern surrounding this issue and shows support for preserving reasonable protections in narrow residential waterways.

LAAC Public Meeting

Date: May 28
Time: 6:00 PM

Location:
Louisa County Office Building
Public Meeting Room
1 Woolfolk Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093

Members of the public are welcome to attend and may provide comments during the meeting. Speakers are generally limited to approximately three minutes.

Planning to Attend or Speak?

If you plan to attend the meeting or speak during public comments, please email:

greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

LACA is coordinating public participation and would appreciate knowing who plans to attend or speak during the meeting.

During LACA’s presentation, attendees may be asked to stand in support of preserving the existing No Wake Surfing Zones. Knowing how many supporters plan to attend helps LACA prepare appropriately for the meeting and coordinate public participation effectively.