BEFORE YOU MAKE WAVES, READ THIS:

The Lakes and Ponds Program of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been drafting a rule that would, if enacted, regulate wake boats on certain public waters. The draft rule is in response to a petition that has been trying to limit use of wake boats on Vermont lakes out of concern for safety hazards and environmental damage on lakes of a certain size.

Wakeboats intentionally create large waves that can be jumped or surfed, however those wakes tend to wash onto the shoreline, contributing to erosion and leading to murkier, muddier waters.

Over the last year, the DEC has been developing the draft rule, which included two public meetings, receiving and reviewing over 300 written comments, and engaging in 10 meetings with affected recreational user groups and business associations.

The draft rule would allow wake boats to engage in wake sports on public waters under the following 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 boat is decontaminated by a DECapproved entity (home lake rule)

Under this draft rule, wake boats can engage in wake sports in 31 inland lakes in Vermont, as noted in this chart. However, as lake depths vary, only a portion of each lake would be open for wake boating.

DEC’s draft rule is based on review of legal precedent, the Use of Public Waters Rules, a review of wake boat regulation in other states, operational and safety considerations, and studies in the scientific literature about wake boat wave height, wave energy, and related impacts on shoreline erosion.

“If she consumes all of her air, she’s done,” he said as Jones was warming up.

Jones was thrilled with the result, shaving two and half minutes off the record.

“I don’t know if I had a time in mind. I was just excited to be out here and to have the crowd out here helped a lot, obviously,” she said “So, yeah, it exceeded my expectations.”

Her water polo teammates broke into song when she completed her run.

About 15 members of her other team, the fire department, also showed up. Chief Shaw said the college volunteer program has been a success over the years in bringing in energy and new ideas.

Jones explained why she signed on with the fire department two years ago.

“I’ve always been interested in service, and I like discipline. I was interested in applying to military schools,” Jones said. “Once I got here it seemed like a cool opportunity to blend all those interests. They treat me great. It’s an awesome department. I’m really lucky.” —Andy Kirkaldy/The Addison Independent