We have some very good news for you. But we still have some work to do.
The good news: The Department of Environmental Conservation is moving forward to recommend a rule to manage wakeboats on Vermont’s lakes and ponds. This process began with RWVL’s petition of March 2022 and gained speed through the support of many people like you. The rule, if finalized, would also include a provision prohibiting the spread of aquatic invasive species through wakeboat ballast tanks. The fact that the DEC is drafting a wakeboat rule is a major accomplishment by all those who supported Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes, for all those who enjoy Vermont’s public waters, and for the people and tourists of the State of Vermont. We applaud the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Agency of Natural Resources for moving this process forward.
The remaining challenge: While we are extremely pleased that the DEC sees the need for wakeboat regulation, their current draft does not fully achieve RWVL’s goals to protect Vermont’s lakes and lake users both today and into the future. The rule should go further to better protect Vermont’s most vulnerable lakes from the present and future damage and dangers of wake sports.
The RWVL petition called for:
Use of wakeboats for wakeboarding and wakesurfing is permitted only in defined areas of water bodies (“wake sports zones”) where all the following conditions are met:
1) the distance from shore is greater than 1000 feet
2) the water depth is greater than 20 feet
3) the area of the water body satisfying 1) and 2) is more than 60 contiguous acres.
For water bodies where no such areas exist that satisfy all three conditions, vessels defined as wakeboats are prohibited.
The DEC’s draft rule modifies the conditions of the petition as follows:
- reduces the distance from from 1000 to 500 feet (a 50% reduction).
- keeps the water depth at greater than 20 feet (same as the petition).
- reduces the area of the water body satisfying 1) and 2) from 60 to 50 contiguous acres (a ten-acre reduction).
The impact of the DEC’s less protective draft rule would be:
- Fewer lakes and lake users would be fully protected: 53 lakes to 36.
- Normal (traditional) lake-users will find fewer lakes and less area to enjoy their activities.
- As wakeboats continue their annual increase in size and power, the future of lake ecosystems and lake users is at greater risk
While the DEC’s draft moves in the right direction, it does not go far enough. Many of the lakes familiar to most of you would not be fully protected from wake boat activity.
The Department of Environmental Conservation will conduct a final pre-rulemaking meeting to provide the public with an opportunity to provide feedback.· The meeting will be held in Greensboro at the Highland Center for the Arts, and virtually via Microsoft Teams on February 15, 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Materials concerning the draft rule are available online. Materials explaining the RWVL position can be found at responsiblewakes.org.
RWVL applauds the DEC’s direction, but wants even additional protection for the state’s lakes and lake users. Our plan for getting a more effective rule — with your help, we hope — is as follows:
Our Goal:
To regulate wakeboat operation on Vermont’s inland lakes:
– Keep them 1000 feet from shore, in water 20 feet deep, on an areas of 60 contiguous acres.
– Require decontamination of ballast tanks before every launch.
Our Strategy:
– Rally support for this goal among RWVL, FOVLAP, NEK and other lake communities.
– Rally support for this goal among the Vermont public.
– Support the DEC’s rule, but press for greater lake and lake user protection.
– impress the DEC and the general public with the scope of RWVL support through press coverage, community discussion, and testimony at any public hearings.
What can you do to help?
– Update your friends and neighbors on the progress of the wakeboat rulemaking process.
– Sign up to provide feedback on the proposed wakeboat rule — in person or virtually — at the DEC sign-up page.
– Inform your legislators of the goal and strategies of RWVL. Our website at responsiblewakes.org includes a sample letter to legislators.
– Read the Economic Impact Analysis of our proposed rule, which shows its benefits far outweigh its costs. It may be found on the website.
– Distribute the graphic illustration of the effects of wakeboats, which can be found also on our website. We also have printed copies available; email info@responsiblewakes.org to order some for distribution at your lake.
Need more information?
Write to info@responsiblewakes.org, or call Jack Widness at Lake Raponda, 802–464–8981