WAKESPORT PETITION RECENT NEWS
On June 13, 2025, the Westmore Association received notification that the petition to prohibit wakesports on Lake Willoughby had been denied, as had the other eight petitions (for nine lakes) filed and under review since last September. In this notification, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced a new public stakeholder process to gather input on proposed changes to Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules regulating wakesports. Instead of addressing concerns and petitions for each individual lake, the DEC plans to adopt a uniform, statewide approach to address the issues raised in the petitions and to manage conflicts among various recreational uses. This decision may be disappointing for many in our community who tirelessly supported the petition last year. We acknowledge and appreciate the effort you put in, but the process is not over. We will continue to advocate for our lake community and ensure that our voices are heard.
In an effort to get feedback on the proposed changes, the DEC is hosting a webinar and two hybrid public meetings as part of a pre-rulemaking engagement process. We encourage the public to watch the webinar, read the FAQ document, and the summary of proposed changes and come to the meeting with specific feedback and suggestions about the proposed changes.
The following is an agenda for both public meetings:
6:00 p.m. Introduction
- Welcome and Introductions (5 minutes)
- ANR Presentation to review proposed changes (20 minutes)
- Explanation of meeting rules and process (5 min)
6:30 p.m. Topical Conversations
- Proposed changes to the wakesports zone definition
- Safety offsets
- Municipal delegation
- Changes to the Home Lake Rule and Proof of decontamination provisions
- Addition of decontamination section
- Other topics not covered
8:00 p.m. Wrap up
First Meeting
When: July 30, 2025 at 6pm
Where: VTrans Dill Building, 2178 Airport Road, Barre, VT 05641
Or online: Join the meeting now
Or call-in: 802-828-7667, Conference ID: 606953181#
Second Meeting
When: July 31, 2025 at 6pm
Where: Gateway Center, 84 Fyfe Drive, Newport, VT 05855.
Or online: Join the meeting now
Or call-in: 802-828-7667, Conference ID: 430586212#
During the formal rulemaking phase (anticipated to be in late 2025) there will be a chance to sign up for and provide verbal comments at the formal rulemaking meetings, as well as a chance to provide written comments.
Please visit the Lakes and Ponds Rulemaking webpage for additional information: https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakes-and-ponds-rulemaking
Written comments may be submitted during the public comment period to anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov. Public comments will be accepted from June 30 until 4:30 p.m. on August 11, 2025.
PAST NEWS
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.
