VT’S ANR PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR WAKE SPORTS REGULATION
Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is proposing revisions to its Use of Public Water Rules, some of which will eliminate wake sports on twelve of the smaller lakes including Lake Parker and Shadow Lake in Glover. The ANR is requesting public comments regarding these changes.
The proposed changes include:
- Increasing the contiguous Wake Sports Zone to 100 acres from 50 acres; this will improve protection of shorelines, allow for other “normal” uses and increase public safety when more than one wake boat is operating. This proposed change eliminates wake sports on Lake Parker and Shadow Lake.
- Adding the provision for a minimum run of 3000 feet within a Wake Sports Zone, which is the typical distance for a wake sports run.
- Increasing the distance from wake sports activity to 500 feet from individuals, canoers, kayakers and other vessels, anchored or moored vessels with any individuals and anchorage of docks; this will provide increased safety for swimmers and those using traditional, smaller craft which are the vast majority of lake users.
- Increasing the distance from nesting loons to 500 feet from 300 feet during their nesting period.
- Requiring wake boats traveling between water bodies to conduct hot water decontamination of their ballast tanks or bags. This will reduce the likelihood of AIS spread on all Vermont lakes and ponds, and is especially important for those larger lakes such as Willoughby which will still have wake sports zones.
Additional information is available on the ANR webpage: https:/dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakes-and-ponds-rulemaking; and at the Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes website, http://responsiblewakes.org.
The quest for the elimination of wake sports on both Shadow and Parker has been a long process (almost 5 years), and is supported by the Glover Selectboard, the Lake Parker Association, and the Shadow Lake Association.
Please show your support of the ANR proposed rule revisions by speaking at the public meetings and/or submitting your comments in writing.
The two public meetings are hybrid and require sign up in advance to speak:
The first public meeting is on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 5:30-8 pm at the Brandon Town Hall, 49 Center Street, Brandon, VT 05733. Sign up to speak at: https://forms.office.com/g/6UNTcELQft.
The second public meeting is on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at 5:30-8 pm at the VTrans Dill Building, 2178 Airport Rd. Unit B, Barre, VT 05641. Sign up to speak at: https://forms.office.com/g/RqLAjgw216.
Written public comments should be submitted by 20 February 2026 at 4:30 pm at: https://forms.office.com/g/jJukgRmvXz. If submitting a written comment with attachments, please email to ANR.WSMDLakes@vermont.gov with the word “wakesports” in the subject line. There is no limit on the number of comments a person may make through the comment form.
Please support the efforts for safer lake use, protection of shorelines and better water quality by speaking at the public meetings and/or writing to the ANR in the next few weeks.
Thank you.
John Wooten and Ginny Lawless
Lake Parker Camp Owners
