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Nine lake associations in Vermont are requesting the state to ban wake boats from 10 lakes. The Westmore Association is leading the campaign to stop wake sports on Lake Willoughby, citing safety concerns due to the lake’s topography and popularity among paddle boarders. The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced public meetings to discuss the petitions and will accept written comments until December 23rd.
Advocates of the restrictions argue that wakes from boats can harm nesting waterfowl, erode shorelines, disrupt lake ecosystems, and pose safety risks. The new rules aim to prevent the transfer of invasive species between lakes and mitigate these environmental impacts. While some fear that banning wake sports in certain lakes may concentrate activity in others, data from the department shows that wake sports make up only 1% of motorized boating in Vermont.
Lake associations like the Shadow Lake Association are concerned about the impact of wake sports on the environment, as the lake has recently been removed from the aquatic invasive species list after extensive efforts to combat milfoil. Similarly, Lake Willoughby, a national landmark, is facing increased visitation, prompting calls to protect its unique ecological habitat.
The state will assess the petitions to determine if additional rules are necessary to protect these lakes. Public safety, environmental conservation, and preserving the special features of these lakes are at the forefront of the debate over wake sports in Vermont.
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Photo credit vtdigger.org
