PHOTO COURTESY CENTURION BOATSThe Lakes and Ponds Program of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is drafting a rule that would regulate wakesports boats on some public waters. The rule is in response to a petition that seeks to limit the use of the boats on the state’s lakes.
DEC said in a statement that the draft rule would allow boats to engage in wake-creating sports on public waters under the three conditions:
1. On lakes, ponds and reservoirs with a minimum of 50 contiguous acres that are 500 feet from shore on all sides and 20 feet deep (eligibility rule).
2. Wake boats must be 500 feet from shore at all times while engaging in wake sports (operating rule)
3. A wake boat must stay in one lake per calendar year unless it is decontaminated by a DEC-approved entity (home lake rule)
Under the draft rule, wakesports boats can participate in the wake-making activities on 31 inland Vermont lakes. The DEC will consider feedback provided during the February 15 meeting, complete the draft rule and then launch the formal rulemaking process.
DEC said the rule-making process included two public meetings, reviewing more than 300 written comments and engaging in 10 meetings with recreational user groups and business associations.
The original petition and supporting documents are available here.
