The boating industry is fighting to stop essential improvements to statewide wakesports rules designed to protect our lakes and our safety. Don’t let corporate lobbying drown out the voices of Vermonters and others who come to our state to enjoy recreating here.
Please take a few minutes to submit your comments and help ensure the DEC hears from the people who respectfully use and work to protect our lakes.
This past summer, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) solicited public comments on its proposed changes to the Use of Public Waters Rules (UPWR) adopted in April 2024 to regulate wakesports on Vermont’s inland lakes.
See brief DEC summary: LINK. And UPWR full document with highlighting of the DEC changes: LINK.
Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) supports key elements of the final proposal, including:
- Increasing the minimum size of the wakesports zone (WSZ) from 50 to 100 acres (This will reduce the number of wakesports eligible lakes from 30 to 18.)
- Explicitly requiring that a WSZ must accommodate a 3,000 ft run
- Prohibiting wakesports within 500 ft of other users and nesting loons
- Clarifying that wake boat decontamination is required before entering a lake
While these are positive steps, there are key areas where the rule can—and should—be strengthened. RWVL urges DEC to incorporate new science and the Precautionary Principle to better protect Vermont’s waters and users. We recommend:
- Minimum 30-foot water depth requirement (Supported by new studies, including the Lake Waramaug research. LINK)
- 700-foot setback from shorelines, loon nests, and other lake users (The St. Anthony Falls Laboratory study recommended over 500 ft for wave height and, more importantly, 600 ft for wave power. During the initial drafting of the 2024 rule, the DEC staff recommended 600 ft. Incorporating the Precautionary Principle supports a 700 ft setback.)
- Adding an explicit statement of and commitment to the Precautionary Principle within the UPWR such as this:
- Amending the UPWR to include a statement that wakesports are NOT a “normal” use and therefore require special consideration and rules that differ from those that apply to “normal,” i.e., traditional, uses.
Importantly, RWVL does not support the DEC’s decision to remove the Home Lake rule, which we still believe is the most effective way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) from one lake to another.
Your Help Now is Absolutely Critical – Here’s What You Can Do
We need to pack the public hearings scheduled for January 27 and February 4 – and we need to generate hundreds of comments in support of strengthening the 2024 wakesports rule. We expect the wake boat proponents will be out in force to resist further restrictions during this process. Your voice in support of the added restrictions is critical.
Make your voice heard, share your concerns:
- Express support for the updated rule, and
- Request the stronger protections discussed above
- Attend a Public Meeting: You may attend in person or online.
Public meetings will be held:
- January 27 in Brandon, 5:30–8:00 p.m. Sign up to speak LINK
- February 4 in Barre, 5:30–8:00 p.m. Sign up to speak LINK
Meeting locations, instructions on how to attend online, and additional details can be found at this LINK.
2. Submit a Written Comment to the DEC
- Submit your comment using the form LINK
- Or by email (for longer comments or attachments) to NR.WSMDLakes@vermont.gov. Please include “wakesports” in the subject line AND please send a copy to us at responsiblewakesvt@gmail.com.
- Deadline for written comments: Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
Every Voice Makes a Difference
Thank you for standing strong with us to protect Vermont’s lakes for wildlife, traditional recreation, and future generations.