…and we need you to act now so we can keep on rolling.
Hearing Supports Strong Rule
Of the 24 speakers at last night’s online public hearing on DEC’s proposed wake boat rule, 19 asked for it to be strengthened to a 1000-foot offset, 2 wanted to see a complete ban, 2 supported the 500-foot offset proposed by DEC, and 1 wanted no rule at all. Combining these with the oral comments from the in-person Tuesday night hearing in Richmond, DEC heard 87% support an offset of 1000’ or more, 6% support the 500-foot proposal, and 7% prefer no rule at all.
As the Department of Environmental Conservation developed its rule to regulate wakesports on Vermont lakes, they have gone out of their way to provide many opportunities for public involvement. DEC conducted three public comment sessions in Richmond, Manchester, Greensboro and online, before the publication of the rule. Once the rule was proposed, they conducted two more in Richmond and online. In total, 217 people have made oral comments. Here is a tally of the oral comments:
In addition to these five sessions, the DEC has collected hundreds of written comments. These are now being compiled and analyzed, and we expect to have a report soon after August 10, which is the deadline to receive written comments.
As you can see, public support for a strong rule is running at about 8 to 1. So far. We can do even better with your help, by sending in a written comment to the Department of Environmental Conservation at anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov . Your comment need not be long, but it should clearly state that you support a rule that would keep wakesports at least 1000 feet from shore.