MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is seeking public input on proposed changes to Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules. ANR will host two hybrid public meetings on January 27 and February 4. The public is welcome to provide feedback during these meetings or through written comments.
The public can submit written comments through an online form, or attend a public meeting in-person or online January 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Brandon Town Hall, 49 Center Street, Brandon, or join by phone at (802) 828-7667; and February 4, 5:30 to 8 p.m., VTrans Dill Building, 2178 Airport Road Unit B, Barre, or by phone at (802) 828-7667.
Learn more online about the proposed changes to the Use of Public Waters Rules, the rule-making process, and opportunities for public participation at the ANR website.
“The Use of Public Waters Rules protects the uses and natural resource values of all public waters for this and future generations,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “The proposed changes clarify new wake-sports regulations and update language on topics such as petition review. We invite members of the public to share their comments on these proposed changes.”
In 2024, Vermont adopted new wake-sports regulations that limit wake sports with a wake-boat to the wake-sports zones of inland lakes. There are 30 inland lakes where wake-sports can occur within a specific wake-sports zone. The proposed changes to the Use of Public Water Rules and wake-sports regulations include, update the language on how to delegate to municipalities, review and submit petitions, and inspect and decontaminate (or clean) watercraft; increase safety offsets between wake-sports and other recreational users; revise the wake-sports zone definition and require hot water decontamination for wake-boats moving between water bodies.
