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Help to strengthen the regulation of wakesports on our in-land lakes.

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  • 2 min read

The Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed amendments to the Use of Public Waters rule passed two years ago that would make it stronger and add another 12 or 13 lakes to the list of those where wakesurfing is prohibited. Every individual response matters. Because the DEC uses the total volume of responses to gauge public sentiment, a high turnout of support is the only way to ensure strong regulations are passed. We are expecting the wake boating industry and its proponents to continue turning out in force. To protect our waters, we need to match—and exceed—their numbers. Please encourage your friends and all family members of any age to also comment.


 

Here’s what you can do: Submit written comments on DEC’s online comment form stating that you support the strengthening of the amendment to the 2024 Use of Public Waters Rule. Feel free to site your concern about swimmer and boater safety, invasive species spread, erosion issues, and impact to loons, fish, and other non-humans who rely on the Waterbury Reservoir to survive.


Deadline for submitting written comments is February 20, at 4:30PM. These comments should be submitted using the online form available at this link: https://forms.office.com/g/jJukgRmvXz

 

To help you generate ideas for your comments, take a look at the Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL)by clicking on this link: poster we will be using in the current campaign, and visit the RWVL website at responsiblewakes.org.


Suggested written comments to choose from:

I support the proposed amendments to Vermont’s Use of Public Waters because:

  1. Of the surface threats to other vessels, swimmers, and paddlers

  2. Near shoreline disruptions and erosion

  3. Damage to shoreline structures impacted by these wakes

  4. Nutrient release events to the water

  5. Deep penetration propeller downwash effects

  6. Wave attenuation distances prompting changes to traditional buffer distances

  7. The amended rule will conserve the water quality and recreational safety of the Waterbury Reservoir, along with many other lakes similarly situated

  8. Wakesports issues are not limited to Vermont – they are nationwide

  9. The largest number of users on Vermont’s inland lakes are low-impact users, such as, swimmers, kayakers, canoeists, fisher-people, standup paddle boarders, nature photographers, adaptive sports users, water-skiers, motorboat users, etc.            

  10. When even one wakesporter shows up, many of the normal users simply leave

  11. Wildlife is abundant both in our lakes and around them. It is important to keep them safe and to provide them with a habitat that they can flourish in. These lakes are home to loons, eagles, mink, otters, herons, snapping turtles, and many fish species.

  12. Describe what you have personally witnessed and how you were impacted when wakesports were on the lake.

 

The deadline for all written comments is February 20, 2026, no later than 4:30PM. Take a minute to send this to a minimum of 10 people (or more) who are like-minded and you know will do this. Consider calling them to make a personal plea.

Please let your voice be heard!  This is one of those moments when your influence will be felt.

 
 
 
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