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Boaters Encouraged to Prioritize Safety and Environmental Responsibility While Enjoying Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds

Press Release
May 28, 2025

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – May 28, 2025

Media Contacts:
Major Jenna Reed, Warden Service
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Jenna.Reed@Vermont.gov

Laura Dlugolecki, Lakes and Ponds Permitting and Vermont Project WET Coordinator
Department of Environmental Conservation
802-490-6133, Laura.Dlugolecki@Vermont.gov

Boaters Encouraged to Prioritize Safety and Environmental Responsibility While Enjoying Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds

Montpelier, Vt. – As boaters visit Vermont’s lakes and ponds this spring and summer, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and partners are offering a few tips on how to stay safe and protect Vermont’s natural resources.

“From recreation and drinking water to fish and wildlife habitat, Vermont’s lakes and ponds offer us many benefits,” said Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “As boating season kicks off, it is key that Vermonters use and enjoy our public waters in a way that is both safe and environmentally friendly.”

Whether you are at a Vermont State Park, Vermont Fish and Wildlife (VFWD) Access Area, or other public water access, use the following tips when boating:

Before boating:

  1. Ensure your boat is registered.
  2. Take a boater safety education course. 
  3. Bring the right safety gear for people, boats, watercraft, or vessels.
  4. Clean, drain, and dry boats before getting into the water to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
  5. Check the weather forecast, get familiar with known hazards, and bring a map.
  6. Get to know Vermont’s boating laws and rules such as the Use of Public Waters Rules, including Vermont’s wakesports rule that went into effect in 2024.
  7. Read the access area signage for updates.

While boating:

  1. Wear a life jacket.
  2. Drive or operate boats at a no wake speed (or 5 mph) within 200 feet of the shoreline; swimming areas; someone in the water; a canoe or other boat; an anchored or moored boat containing an individual; and anchorages and docks.
  3. Limit wakesports using wakeboats to defined wakesports zones.
  4. Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other intoxicating substance.
  5. Follow all navigational rules when coming across other boats.
  6. Operate boats in a careful and responsible manner.
  7. Always respect public and private property.

After boating:

  1. Secure and properly dispose of trash or recycling.
  2. Clean, drain, and dry boats after getting out of the water to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
  3. Maintain boats often to ensure safety and to prevent gas and oil spills.

View the Boating Resource Guide for more tips and to learn more about the rules.

The Vermont State Police (VSP) Marine Division and the VFWD Warden Service enforce the Use of Public Waters Rules. Members of the public may report any issues or concerns related to violations of these rules to VSP and/or VFWD.

If Laura Dlugolecki is not available, contact Sergeant Jacob Metayer of the VSP Marine Division at 802-878-7111 or Jacob.Metayer@Vermont.gov or Major Jenna Reed of VFWD Warden Service at 802-878-7111 or Jenna.Reed@Vermont.gov.

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider. To file a discrimination complaint, for questions, free language services, or requests for reasonable accommodations, please contact ANR’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator at ANR.CivilRights@vermont.gov or visit ANR’s online Notice of Nondiscrimination.