On Thursday, July 7, at 5:30 PM, the last of two statewide Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) public informational meetings will take place in the Manchester Library. These meeting are being held in response to a petition by the citizen's group Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) recommending to the ANR that they change their existing public water use rules by creating common sense, science-based operating conditions for wake boats on Vermont's lakes and ponds—including Lake Raponda and Harriman Reservoir.

Wake boats have powerful engines and features designed to create wakes up to 4 feet in height. Such large wakes are required for wake surfing and wake boarding, sports that are becoming increasingly popular in Vermont and elsewhere. Many unpleasant—sometimes dangerous—encounters with large wake boat waves have been reported by swimmers, paddlers, anglers, boaters, and shore line property owners. Disruption to loon nesting, lake bottom sediment releasing phosphorus and other nutrients, and shoreline erosion also can occur. To get sense of the powerful waves generated by wake boats, watch this brief 1.5-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idqfK4m16fI.

The July 7 meetings allows for both in-person and remote attendance. To join the meeting at the scheduled time here is the link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmY4MjVlMGItNzQzOC00Y2E2LWFiNzYtMDRmZ[...]%7d. You can also call in at 802-828-7667, and enter the Conference ID number: ID: 929 449 736#. There is also opportunity for public written comments until July 29 (by sending to Laura Dlugolecki at Laura.Dlugolecki@vermont.gov). Several months thereafter, a decision by the ANR regarding whether or not to proceed rule making is expected.

The RWVL group has summarized its petition in a concise, easily understood "Picture Storybook with FAQs" available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MlFI7WJjunLXvyYFXd1Ky6l0aDqQbqC3/view. Detailed information on these ANR public meetings and the RWVL's petition can be found on the DEC website: https://dec.vermont.gov/content/public-meeting-use-public-waters-rules. RWVL is asking folks interested in signing a four question, 2-minute online letter supporting this petition to do so at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfh5-r3JOwLDIleO5AERFmKbtfk8hhZcySWc3fxvAa59pfEWg/viewform.

This ANR meeting is YOUR chance to raise awareness in a public forum about these experiences and offer your comments and to share the stories of your wake boat experiences. Please consider using this opportunity for protecting the health and enjoyment of our Vermont lakes and ponds, and keeping them safer for all users.