This public meeting at the Richmond Free Library, 201 Bridge St. in Richmond is the first of 2 statewide meetings for you to respond to a petition by a hard-working statewide citizen's group, Responsible Wakes for VT Lakes (RWVL). RWVL asks the VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to use existing public water rules to create enforceable, common sense and science-based operating conditions for Wake Boat (WB) watercraft on smaller lakes and ponds in VT such as Echo Lake and Holland Pond. The public comment period is in June and July. A decision by ANR is expected in August.

WBs have powerful engines and features designed to create wakes up to 4'. Large wakes are required for wake surfing and wake boarding, sports becoming increasingly popular in VT and in many other states. For more information on the petition and the Public Meeting process go to the DEC website: https://dec.vermont.gov/content/public-meeting-use-public-waters-rules
Many dangerous and unpleasant encounters with these large wakes have been reported by swimmers, paddlers, fishermen and property owners. Disruption to loon nesting, lake bottom sediment (releasing phosphorus) and shoreline erosion are also concerning. RWVL seeks more stories from local residents with negative experiences on any lake or pond from an encounter with a WB. This is your chance to raise awareness to these experiences. We are looking for folks interested in signing our petition and writing letters of support. Please go here for more information: https://tinyurl.com/RWVLLetterOfSupport.

Hope you can make the Public Meeting and will consider signing the petition, making the most of this unique opportunity. The petition is designed to preserve all popular forms of water recreation (even Wake sports), while protecting the health of our lakes and ponds and keeping them safe for ALL users, both human and wildlife. The Wake Boat industry predicts continued rapid growth of this sport.

Thanks for reading.

Ed Wells