GMWS: RESPONSIBLE WAKES PETITION / USE OF PUBLIC WATERS

The Green Mt Water skiers(GMWS) are a USA Water Ski sanctioned club founded over 40 years ago.  Our members are traditional water skiers.  We do not have any Wake Board members. We have worked with the Legislature to enact water ski bills, and we were involved with the then Water Resources Board in the development of the Use of Public Waters Policy (UPWP) in the 90s which has become the Use of Public Waters Rules (UPWR).  The WRB felt a comprehensive management plan was needed due to increasing conflicts and Petition submissions.  The WRB surveyed all public waters to determine what were the existing uses and where those uses predominated.  The WRB drafted the UPWP and held several public hearings across VT for input.   The adopted UPWP and current UPWR key components are:

*  When conflicts develop on public waters,  petitions are required to document that they contacted affected users and user groups, and document the efforts to resolve the conflict or the Petition would not be accepted.   

*  Separation and/or time of day was to be considered.  

*  The minimum acreage size for high-speed 5 mph motorboat use is 75 acres.

*  The minimum acreage size for personal watercraft (PWC) use is 300 acres.

*  Petitions could request allowing high-speed use under 75 acres, and allow personal watercraft (PWC) under 300 acres.   Successful petitions were granted for slalom course skiing on Lake Lamoille and PWC on Wrightsville Reservoir.

The GMWS does support amending UPWR to include Wake Boating as an existing use since  Wake Boating did not exist in the 90s.   The Responsible Wakes Petition (RWP) proposes using a 1,000 ft from shore, a 20 ft depth minimum protection zone, and Wake Sport Zones as the tools to be utilized.   The data presented is comprehensive.  The GMWS does not refute the documentation provided; however, we feel the 1,000 ft from the shoreline would be very difficult to enforce and does not fit within the existing framework of the UPWR for conflict resolution and management.  The GMWS requests amending UPWR as follows:

*  Establish a minimum acreage size to allow Wake Boating.   Options on size limitations should be included in the DRAFT Amendment for public comment.  For example 300, 500, and 700 acres. The Waterbury Reservoir Petition included three options to limit high-speed motorboat use.  Based on public comments the middle of the road option 2 was adopted.   The RWP does mention that Wake Boating all of the 19 lakes larger than 500 acres that allow over 5mph high speed use the RWP proposed characteristics to support Wake Sport Zones.

*  Get input from the Marine Division of the Department of Public Safety on establishing a distance from shore of 1,000 ft and a minimum water depth of 20 ft for Wake Boating as per RWP.    Allow for waivers for the 1,000 ft providing documentation demonstrating that shoreline erosion, personal property, depth greater than 20 ft for water quality, and public safety will not be impaired.   Currently, waivers can be approved by the Marine Division of the Dept. of Public Safety for the 200 ft requirement for motorboats exceeding 5 mph.

*   Conduct several Public Hearings on the DRAFT Amendment at various locations. Provide a one-year waiting period after the Amended Rules are adopted to allow for Petitions for Wake Boating on Public Waters under the minimum acreage established by the Rules.  

*   Establish a citizen Public Waters Panel within ANR that would review Petitions and make recommendations to the Secretary.  ANR could request applications from the public to get a diverse group of recreational users.  Panel size TBD. 

The GMWS supports fair management and environmental stewardship of our Public Waters.  A Wake Boating minimum acreage size would be consistent with the current management and conflict resolution policies of the UPWR.  The WRB determined minimum acreage sizes for high-speed motorboat and PWC uses where those uses did not predominate.   Minimum Acreage size limits prevented numerous petitions from being filed to limit high speed and PWC uses.  This process is fair since it still allows for petitions to limit high speed and PWC uses on Public Waters over the size minimum.    History has proved the WRB was right on target with a fair process.  

Bruce Epstein, President GMWS

References:

DEC Lakes and Pond Rulemaking

Wake Boat Petition 3/9/22

’19 Tom Costello/Alan Rossi VT Champs running orders and work assignments announced

The running order and work assignments for the 2019 Tom Costello/Alan Rossi Vermont State Championships have been announced: 

The tournament start time is 7:30, so please be there by 7 am to ensure an on-time start.

For questions or concerns, please contact Justin Campfield at [email protected] or (802) 683-9889. 

Annual Meeting Friday, May 3, 2019

CORRECTION: Friday, May 3, 2019

Our Annual Meeting will be Thursday May 2 at Bruce and Donna’s home in Waterbury (address below). Social time starts at 6:00 pm with pizza provided.
Bring your own beverage. The meeting will commence at ~ 6:30 pm. The Agenda will include Treasurer’s report, Election of Offices, Membership Status, Club Website, this year’s Tournament / State Championship, State Records, Junior Clinic Update, the Alan Rossi Award, Waterbury Courses Update, and any other issues. If you would like to add another item please let me know. Please confirm if you will attend so enough pizza can be ordered. My email address is below.

Darlene will be stepping down as our Treasurer. She will be providing our club records along with the checking and PayPal accounts. We need a new Treasurer. I am willing to assist the new Treasurer in getting set up. Our expenditures are almost all tournament expenses. We also manage an Alan Rossi Fund which receives donations from other clubs and individuals. Donations go to the plaque for the Alan Rossi Award winner, Eastern Region Junior Development and possibly some funds towards a GMWS ski clinic. None of this is rocket science. Please seriously consider becoming our new Treasurer and let me know ASAP if you are possibly interested. Please feel free to call me anytime. Our club is what we make of it. Please make every effort to attend. THANK You!

Bruce (802)272-5324

2018 Wrap-up

Hi Members,

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a great 2019! The Tom Costello/Alan Rossi State Championships was successful with great scores and conditions. Congrats to all our new State Champions (listed below). Thanks to all that volunteered to make our Tournament a success! The Tournament was again a stop on Justin Campfield’s North East Slalom Series, which is a seven stop five state tour that culminates in a head to head cash final. Points awarded are NOPS equalized to level the playing field so everyone has an opportunity to win. For more details visit the NESS website https://waterskitheeast.com/.

Our first Junior’s Clinic in July was coached by skiing legend Chris Rossi who graciously volunteered his time. It was great for Juniors to get inspired by Chris’s world class coaching. Thank You Chris! The Clinic was supported by GMWS, Junior Development Alan Rossi funds. Thanks to Justin Campfield and Bill Bruzzese for organizing the event.

Darlene McCormick has decided to retire from competitive waterskiing and her role as our Treasurer. Darlene developed and managed our website, as well as the East Region’s website, https://www.awsaeast.org. She has been dedicated to our sport and club for many years. She will continue as Treasurer until her term expires at our Annual Meeting this May. Thank you Darlene for all your time, effort, and dedication for so many years.

Vermont 2018 State Champs Division Score Speed Buoys
Carter Bruzzese B2 4@LL 19 16
Will Bruzzese B3 1@35off 36 97
Abby Campfield G2 2@LL 21 20
Adam Largess M2 2@35off 36 98
Justin Campfield M3 3@35off 34 93
Eric Dole M4 3@35off 34 93
Joe Bourgeois M5 3.5@32off 34 87.5
Karen Bruzzese W4 3@22off 34 75
Darlene McCormick W6 3@28off 32 75

Our Club is what we make of it. THANKS!

Bruce Epstein, President
13 South Pinnacle Ridge Rd
Waterbury, VT 05676

CELL: (802)272-5324

Tom Costello Alan Rossi VT Champs, Aug 25

Please click Events in the menu bar to see all the standard info about our tournament. Please register online. Entry deadline 8/19.

This year’s tournament (19E017C) is the third year of being the VT State Champs! We will also be going back historically and pulling together VT records, so please let us know what you may know about past stellar performances.

The 2018 tournament is FULL and the following people are confirmed:
Darlene McCormick
Brooke Mahan
Shannah Pochini
Derrick St. Laurent
Bill Putnam
Pat Morrill
Scott Behner
Louisa Behner
Chet Behner
Kathy Callan
Eric Dole
Bob Radimer
Tonya Maurer
Cole Maurer
Rui Afonso
John Witmer
Joyce/Jesse Dobbertin
Joe Bourgeois
Skip Hommel
Julie Hommel
Adam Largess
Leland Carpenter
Zack Carpenter
Zoe Carpenter
Justin Campfield
Abby Campfield
Emma Campfield
Will Bruzzese
Carter Bruzzese
Bill Bruzzese
Karen Bruzzese
Jay Murray
Dan Lausten

33 of 30 persons, 99 of 90 pulls.

GMWS to host Jr. Development Clinic July 12th

NOTICE: The July 12th Junior Development clinic IS FULL and closed to further registrations. All participants who are “in” have been contacted via email. To be put on a waiting list, please email justin [at] thinksparkmedia.com. 

The July 12th junior development clinic coached by Chris Rossi and hosted by the Green Mountain Water Skiers is a go. It will be held at Wrightsville Reservoir (at the boat ramp entrance) north of Montpelier, VT.

Here are the tentative details:

  • Cost: $50 per skier
  • Start time: 7:30am check in, 8:00 first skier on the water
  • End: 5pm
  • No. of sets: 2 per skier plus something fun being planned by Chris at the end of the day
  • Boats: 2018 Nautique 200 and 2018 Malibu TXI
  • Additional: Fun on-the-water activities such as paddle boards, beach games, etc.
    Lunch and refreshments: Provided. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions

All participants are asked to fill out and bring this waiver form with them to the clinic.

To reserve your spot please pay in advance, $50, using your PayPal account or credit card through PayPal.

Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Hi Members,

Our Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 8 at our home in Waterbury (address is below). Social time starts at 6:00 pm with Pizza provided. Bring your own beverage. Meeting will commence ~ 6:30 pm. Agenda will include Treasurer’s Report, Election of Officers, Membership status, Club Website, this year’s Tournament/State Championship, Northeast Slalom Series (NESS) Update, State Records, Juniors Clinic Update, the Alan Rossi Award, House Bill H.729 Update, USA Club Liability Insurance, Waterbury Courses Update, and any other items. If you would like any other items added please let me know.
Please confirm if you will attend so we can order enough Pizza. You can email me at address below or respond directly below.

The Tom Costello/Alan Rossi 2nd State Championships was a success, with great scores and conditions at the Wrightsville Reservoir Beach. Congrats to all our new State Champions (listed below). Thanks to all that volunteered your time to make our Tournament a success!

Our 2017 Vermont Champions:

 Abe Musty Boys 1  Abigail Campfield Girls 2
 Will Bruzzese Boys 2  Karen Bruzzese Womens 3
 Seth Chappell Mens 2  Darlene McCormick Womens 5
 Ben Musty Mens 3  Joyce Dobbertin Womens 6
 Bill Bruzzese Mens 4  
 Joe Bourgeois Mens 5  

The Tournament was also a stop on Justin Campfield’s North East Slalom Series, which is a seven stop five state tour that culminates in a head to head cash finals. Points awarded are NOPS equalized to level the playing field so everyone has an opportunity. For more details visit the NESS website http://waterskitheeast.com/.

The 2017 Alan Rossi Award went to our own Darlene McCormick. In addition to being our Treasurer and website manager, she also developed/works on the AWSA East website, and works as a Regular Judge and Senior Driver at several tournaments. Darlene is a great skier dedicated to helping skiers. Our Club would not be the same without her dedication. Well Deserved!

Our Club is what we make of it. Please make every effort to attend. THANKS!

Bruce Epstein, President
13 South Pinnacle Ridge Rd
Waterbury, VT 05676
CELL: (802)272-5324

Tom Costello Alan Rossi VT Champs, Aug 26

Please click Events in the menu bar to see all the standard info about our tournament. Please register online. Entry deadline 8/20.

This year’s tournament (18E019C) is the second year of being the VT State Champs! We will also be going back historically and pulling together VT records, so please let us know what you may know about past stellar performances.

See running order and officials/helpers.

The following people are confirmed for the 2017 tournament:
Darlene McCormick
Bruce Epstein
Brooke Mahan
Eric Dole
Pat Morrill
John Witmer
Bill Putnam
Shannah Pochini
Scott Behner
Louisa Behner
Chet Behner
Kathy Callan
Skip Hommel
Julie Hommel
Derrick St. Laurent
Joyce Dobbertin
Joe Bourgeois
Will Bruzzese
Bill Bruzzese
Karen Bruzzese
Justin Campfield
Abby Campfield
Emma Campfield
Skylar Hathorn
Ben Musty
Seth Chapell
Abe Musty
Dan Lausten
Rui Afonso
Mike Belanger

30 of 30 persons, 90 of 90 pulls.