With the 2025 summer boating season on the horizon, wake boating is back in the news — this time with the VT Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy hearing on “Wake Boats.” The meeting will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, at 10:00 AM. You may attend In person (Room 8, VT Statehouse) or via zoom (click HERE) to…

In the words of Dani Sharpe — one of our most passionate founders, supporters and protectors of Vermont lakes: “What a year we have had! It started with our battle in Montpelier to get the first comprehensive statewide wakesports and is ending with a push for much-needed stronger regulation on the 10 lakes” that submitted…

The ANR’s new wake boat regulations went into effect on April 15th.  With summer in the rear-view mirror, how well did they work on your lake? The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has indicated there have been few violations involving wake boats reported to the VT State Police Marine Division and local game wardens (Fish and Wildlife) this…

Along with this summer’s hotter than normal temperatures nationally, wake boating issues have become hot topics in several states. Proponents for stronger, more effective regulation of wake sports have told our Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) group that Vermont’s first in the nation statewide wake sports rule issued by the Agency of Natural Resources/Department of Environmental…

As a RWVL newsletter reader, it’s likely you’re well aware the Agency of Natural Resources’ new wake boat/wake sport rules that went into effect on April 15th.  It’s also likely you’re wondering – as we are – how smoothly the rollout of the new regulations will be.  The DEC, charged with implementation of the new…

Memorial Day weekend is here. This signals the start of another fun Vermont water recreation season. New this summer — wake boat owners are required to follow recently enacted wake boat use rules governing wake boat activities on Vermont’s inland lakes and ponds. (Find more information at this Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) LINK.) Implementing some of…

With little fanfare, the ANR’s new rule for managing wake boats on Vermont’s inland lakes and ponds quietly went into effect on April 15, 2024.  This followed a 7 to 1 vote in favor by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) at their February 14 meeting.† The new rule includes three important changes described below: • The…

With help from and the inspiration of you our supporters, Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) has taken its first big step forward. On Thursday, February 14, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) met for a third and final time and voted to approve ANR’s rule to manage wake boats and wake sports on…

Tomorrow morning, Thursday, February 15, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) meets for a third, possibly final, time to determine the fate of “23-P17 – Agency of Natural Resources/Vermont Use of Public Waters Rules.” Beginning 8:25 AM, LCAR will discuss and then vote on whether the ANR followed the required statutory petition process for the Wake Boat Rule they announced January…

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules’ (LCAR) second (and presumably final) meeting on the Agency of Natural Resources’ (ANR) Final Wake Boat Rule is scheduled for Thursday, February 8, at 8:00 AM. LCAR’s sole task at this point is to hold public hearings to determine whether the ANR has correctly followed the legislatively established petition process in…