Environmental group’s hopes for new

A new wake zone bill is ready for a vote this month in the South Carolina legislature, and Friends of Lake Keowee is drumming up support the measure—Senate Bill SB457.  A Senate subcommittee has scheduled a vote next week for 11 am Wednesday, January 27.  Supporters of the bill are hopeful of achieving calmer waves close to the shorelines of lakes such as Keowee, Hartwell, and Jocassee. “FOLKS” is circulating sample letters for people to address to state senators that include this:  “Your support of SB457 is critical to the safely of kayakers and paddle boarders who paddle near our lake shores and in narrow coves, those who swim near shorelines and private docks, and those who anchor near the shore/islands to picnic and swim.  In addition, this bill will mitigate shoreline erosion and property damage due to excessive wave action.  We are simply asking that you increase the No Wake zone in our lakes from its current 50 feet to those specified in SB547.  Georgia already has boaters on their lakes slow to idle speed when they are within 100 feet of any dock or boat.  Our other neighbor, North Carolina has a No Wake zone 150 feet away from docks and other boats.”  The bill, introduced by senators Rice and Alexander, was quickly moved to the Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.  Such a bill died last year in that committee, but the reason was attributed to the government shut downs due to the pandemic declaration.