Next week we enter the home stretch of our quest to manage wakesports on Vermont lakes. For more than two years we have been working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and with thousands of Vermonters to craft a rule that would keep wakesports in deep water, far from shore, where they do the least harm. If we are to succeed, we need your help now to cross the line with a strong rule. This newsletter outlines what you can do to help.
- Come to the Rally on August 1.
- It’s at the Richmond Free Library at 4:00 pm. We’ll celebrate our progress and prepare for the hearing to follow.
- Come to the Public Comment session on August 1.
- Also at the Richmond Library, at 5:00 PM. The DEC will be there to gather public comment on the rule.
- Participate in the Online comment session on August 3.
- You can do this from home, also at 5:00 pm. Click here to join the meeting.
- Write and send a comment to the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR).
- They are accepting written comments by email through August 10. Here are some ideas on how to compose an effective comment.
Support for a strong rule continues to grow:
- Our supporters have already emailed dozens of comments to the ANR asking for a song rule. Do your part and join them. Learn how to compose an effective comment. And carbon-copy info@responsiblewakes.org.
- The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds has endorsed the strong, 1000-foot rule. So have dozens of lake associations and environmental groups.
Favorable press coverage continues. Here are the four most recent articles:
- Wake boats are a threat to our lakes and ponds, VT Digger, July 26, 2023
- Wake boat rule would favor the few while restricting the many, VTDigger, July 23, 2023
- Wake Boats: Aquatic Wrecking Balls, cartoon, Rutland Herald, July 19, 2023
- If Loons Could Talk, Montpelier Bridge, July 11, 2023
Remember, our goal is to get as strong a rule as possible. The 500-foot offset proposed by DEC is not enough to protect our lakes. Responsible Wakes proposed a 1000-foot offset. Some of our supporters tell us they’d like to see wake sports banned completely; we suggest they say that if we can’t get a complete ban, then 1000 feet is better than 500 feet.