This commentary is by Rodney Putnam, a resident of Hinesburg.
My family has lived on Lake Iroquois since 2015 and we own a surf boat. I can only see what’s out my front door and these are my thoughts.
First, let me start by saying that I can imagine that there are lakes and places that have problems with users not respecting their fellow lake environment, but I disagree that the rule proposed by Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes, which paints a broad-brush across the entire state of Vermont, is the answer.
The supporters of this proposed rule in process highlight a few topics:
1. Surf boats are the fastest-growing category of powerboats.
2. The 500-feet-from-shore rule is not enough.
3. Surf boats stir up sediment that increases phosphate levels.
4. Other people cannot enjoy the lake when this activity is present.
5. Loon nesting will be affected by these boats.
When we moved to Lake Iroquois, there were three surf boats that resided here. In 2023, there are three surf boats that reside here. Families’ interests change, they relocate, and for a three- to four-month season, there just aren’t a lot of these boats in Vermont — even the report says less than 5% of all powerboats in Vermont fit this category.
Because there are so few of us, limiting or restricting the use of these boats will have very little impact.
By comparison, a neighbor of mine has a 22-foot Sea Ray bowrider-style boat that weighs within 500 pounds of my boat. When you add six or eight people on board and take a sunset cruise, a very similar size wake will occur.
I feel the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposed 500-foot rule goes over and above to control what happens from a wake boat vs. other users. The standard 200 feet is already more than most states require. Local knowledge and respect of your surroundings should make you stay farther away from shore regardless.
Surf boats move at roughly 10 mph in a straight, predictable line and the wake dissipates quicker that many would expect. We have had many others on the lake tell us this firsthand (pontoon owners, windsurfers, paddleboarders) unsolicited opinions by other lake users.
The state of Vermont’s Lake Scorecard for Lake Iroquois says the phosphorus levels have been declining, again the standard 200-foot rule keeps surf boats away from shore and the shallow areas.
The Lake Iroquois lake community does a great job of sharing the lake — the water-skiers are out at dawn; people in sculling boats are out early as well. There are kayakers, paddleboarders, fishermen, all present at different times of the day. We “read” the lake and if there are too many paddleboarders or kayaks present, we do not go out. So, there are times when this goes both ways and everyone gets to enjoy the lake.
Loons — we love seeing the loons each year and they are beautiful to watch. Since we moved to Lake Iroquois, there have been successful nestings each year and the loons return annually. All users need to be educated about the loons. We watch kayakers follow the loons for long periods of time, unknowingly causing longer pressure to them.
To close, none of the science-based research was conducted in Vermont (Georgia, Minnesota). All lakes and rivers and bodies of water are different. Studies should be conducted here and independently, not a “one size fits all” across the state or country.
I feel that only through communicating with our neighbors and education outreach (boaters are the only category required to take a course and learn the rules of the water) and learning to share the lake will this truly be a place that everyone can enjoy during our short summer season.
Thank you. Just my thoughts from the other side of the table (or lake).
