Wakeboat Petition

On April 15 2024, a new rule under the Use of Public Waters Rules went into effect regulating wakeboats and wakesports on Vermont’s inland lakes. The rule restricts wakesports with a wakeboat to designated zones on 30 inland lakes. Since the rule went into effect, multiple groups have now filed formal requests with the state to reconsider these zones and permissions on 10 lakes, including the Westmore Association.

On August 31, 2024, the Westmore Association submitted the Lake Willoughby Petition to Prohibit Wakesports. We cannot thank our community and members enough for their support. We obtained more than 500 signatures and countless letters of support. The love for our lake and community runs deep. Special thanks to Diane Lehder and other members for their dedication to organizing the petition.

Westmore Association supports the prohibition of Wakesports on Willoughby to:

• Protect our lake ecosystem and be good stewards to this pristine lake
• Support the vast majority of traditional lake users
• Improve public safety by removing high-risk wakesport activity.
• Maintain our property and shoreline values

In December 2024, the Department of Environmental Conservation held a public meeting in Newport to foster public participation in the petition process before determining whether or not to initiate formal rulemaking under the Use of Public Waters Rules regarding wakesports on individual waterbodies. Several Westmore community members spoke in favor of prohibiting wakesports.

See the recordings HERE.