WAKESPORT PETITION RECENT NEWS
In April 2024, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) adopted changes to its Use of Public Waters Rules, adding regulations for wakesports and limiting this activity to 30 of Vermont’s largest inland lakes, Willoughby among them. In June 2025, the DEC denied nine petitions seeking to prohibit wakesports on 10 of those lakes, including Willoughby, and instead reopened rulemaking to address common concerns across the petitions, primarily the DEC’s inability to address safety issues during initial rulemaking.
Pre-rulemaking began last July, with formal rulemaking starting in November. Four hybrid public hearings were held during that time, as were
multiple small group meetings with various stakeholder groups. Approximately 700 written comments were submitted during the pre-rulemaking public comment period, and over 1500 written comments were submitted during formal rulemaking.
Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) conducted a thorough analysis of public comments submitted during the formal rulemaking phase. A simple pro/con count of 1,200+ web-form submissions shows strong support—approximately 80% — in favor of strengthening the 2024 rules. Further details, as well as a discussion of RWVL’s analysis of the full 1500+ comments and rebuttal to the rules opponents’ claims, can be found at http://responsiblewakes.org/?p=1780.
The last step of the rulemaking process is a hearing before the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR). That hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 14. If all goes according to plan, the new rules will be in place for the 2026 boating season. Highlights of the revised rules include:
• Increasing the minimum size of the wakesports zone from 50 acres to 100 acres and requiring a 3,000-foot run length
• Increasing the buffer from other users or vessels from 200 feet to 500 feet
• Eliminating the DEC-managed Home Lake rule but requiring hot water decontamination of ballasted boats (including wake boats)
when moving between lakes
If the proposed rules are adopted unchanged, 12 additional lakes will fall off Vermont’s wakesports eligible list, leaving 18 inland lakes where wakesports will still be permitted. While Willoughby will remain on the wakesports-eligible list, we will benefit from increased safety buffers protecting others recreating on the lake and enhanced protection against the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The DEC’s rulemaking page links to additional discussion of the proposed rules, a list of wakesports eligible lakes, draft maps of the proposed new wakesports zones, all submitted written public comments, and more. Please visit:
dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakes-and-ponds-rulemaking
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.
