{"id":2,"date":"2022-11-09T17:56:39","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T17:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/responsiblewakes.org.previewc38.carrierzone.com\/public\/wp_files\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:56:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:56:54","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/responsiblewakes.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About Responsible Wakes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoying water sports on Lake Fairlee.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) is a collaborative group of citizens from across Vermont who began working together in March of 2021 based on a collective concern about the adverse effects of wakeboats on Vermont lakes and ponds. Our group represents thousands of individuals from lakes and ponds with a full range of water-based recreational interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, RWVL petitioned Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources to adopt a rule to manage wakesports on Vermont waters. At that time, wakesports were allowed on 75 of Vermont\u2019s inland lakes. As a result of the first round of rulemaking that concluded in 2024, that number was reduced to 30 lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the spring of 2025, a second round of rulemaking<\/a> is in process. If successful, this would further reduce that number to of lakes allowing wakesports to 18. Our work today focuses on shepherding this second round of rulemaking through state government to protect 13 more lakes from wakesports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vermonters overwhelmingly support this stronger rule, as shown by the 1200 public comments received by the Agency of Natural Resources in February, 2026. We would like to see the Agency to promulgate the rule in time for the 2026 boating season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We plan next to help five additional prohibit wakesports: the two Averills, Caspian, Willoughby, and Echo (Charleston). We also work to to assist statewide efforts to control the spread of aquatic invasive species on our lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This website introduces you to the reasons for our petition, the science that supports it, and the economic impact of the proposed rule, and our progress so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) drafted a rule <\/a>in response to our petition. The DEC conducted three pre-rulemaking meetings in 2022 and 2023 to receive comments on their draft rule. Comments overwhelmingly favored the rule<\/a>, and most asked for it to be strengthened. A final public hearing on the proposed rule was conducted in August 2023, where again, the written and oral comments overwhelmingly favored a stronger rule by 10-to-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original petition from the RWVL called for wakeboats to operate no closer than 1000 feet from shore<\/strong>, in water at least 20 feet deep<\/strong>, in an area of 60 or<\/strong> more contiguous acres<\/strong> that meets these conditions. These parameters are supported by scientific research and by the reality of life on Vermont lakes where wakeboats have already appeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rule proposed by DEC reduces the distance from 1000 to 500 feet, and reduces the area from 60 to 50 contiguous acres. The DEC\u2019s draft rule would not go far enough to adequately protect Vermont\u2019s lakes and ponds from damage caused by wakeboats.  It would allow wake sports on many lakes and ponds too small to accommodate them safely. RWVL has compiled a list<\/a> showing how each lake would be affected with shoreline offsets of 1000 and 500 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

500 Feet is Not Enough – RWVL Position Paper<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the end of the ANR Petition process on August 10, 2023, RWVL sent this letter<\/a> to ANR Secretary Julie Moore summarizing our reasons for why a stronger Use of Public Waters Rules for wake boats, i.e., greater than 1,000-feet from shore for wake boat activities, is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a 12-page memo<\/a> on September 18, 2023, Oliver Pierson and his staff recommended to Sec Julie Moore a stronger rule than the 500-ft minimum rule the ANR enacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to stay informed of the rule making progress, please go to our News page<\/a> and sign up to receive our newsletters by email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact RWVL at info@responsiblewakes.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RWVL Picture Story Book<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wake Boats Educational Handout<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n