About the Lake Fairlee Association
The Lake Fairlee Association (LFA) was formed to preserve, protect and enhance the distinctive ecology and natural resources of Lake Fairlee and its watershed.
Membership is open to all who love the lake: lake residents, visitors, camps, and neighbors near and far.
Membership is open to all who love the lake: lake residents, visitors, camps, and neighbors near and far.
The affairs of the Association are managed by a Board of Trustees, which meets monthly through most of the year. A list of the current Trustees and an email contact form can be found here.
NOTE: This is a new LFA website. The previous LFA blog is available here and will be maintained as an historical record.
NOTE: This is a new LFA website. The previous LFA blog is available here and will be maintained as an historical record.
Help the Water Quality Action Committee Combat Milfoil!
Click HERE to access the Milfoil Observation form. Use this form to alert LFA volunteers of the location of any milfoil beds observed in the lake. Our intent is to evaluate observed milfoil beds, place buoys for significant beds so boaters can avoid these areas, and work with state and private groups to treat and/or remove. Your detailed observations will help us focus our resources to control the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil in Lake Fairlee. Useful information on Milfoil can be found here and on the Lake Fairlee Association website.
Click HERE to access the Milfoil Observation form. Use this form to alert LFA volunteers of the location of any milfoil beds observed in the lake. Our intent is to evaluate observed milfoil beds, place buoys for significant beds so boaters can avoid these areas, and work with state and private groups to treat and/or remove. Your detailed observations will help us focus our resources to control the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil in Lake Fairlee. Useful information on Milfoil can be found here and on the Lake Fairlee Association website.
The Loon Call - Lake Area News |
Lake Sites & Sounds
Jan 27, 2025
Having been struck by the wonderful, eerie sounds of the ice flexing throughout the night, Sean has mounted the loon cam on his out building and started a livestream. Sean says, "I expect this will capture a lot of ice fishing during the day but my primary interest was in broadcasting the sounds of the lake through the night. Barred owls, coyotes, and the lake talking back to anyone who will hear. Enjoy."
Click Here access the sounds of Lake Fairlee in Winter!
Jan 27, 2025
Having been struck by the wonderful, eerie sounds of the ice flexing throughout the night, Sean has mounted the loon cam on his out building and started a livestream. Sean says, "I expect this will capture a lot of ice fishing during the day but my primary interest was in broadcasting the sounds of the lake through the night. Barred owls, coyotes, and the lake talking back to anyone who will hear. Enjoy."
Click Here access the sounds of Lake Fairlee in Winter!
DEC Public Meeting on Petition to Prohibit Wakesports on Lake Fairlee - Dec. 12
Dec 15, 2024
The DEC has posted a recording of the Dec. 12 Montpelier wakesports petition meeting. Click HERE to start the recording at the beginning of the Lake Fairlee portion of the meeting (minute 1:08).
Summary:
The DEC held public meetings on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12 to obtain public comments on the 9 petitions representing 10 lakes asking to prohibit wakesports on their lakes. (Two of the lakes are asking for a complete ban of wake boats.) Written comments can be submitted until Dec. 23rd at 4:30 p.m. (details below). The DEC will review the comments and, on a lake-by-lake basis, decide if they will proceed with rulemaking or reject each petition.
The Lake Fairlee petition, along with 3 others, were presented at the Dec. 12 Montpelier meeting. (An additional 5 petitions covering 6 lakes were presented in Newport on Dec. 10.) The meeting was well attended. The DEC conference room was full and over 50-60 people attended online. Since 4 lakes presented, not everyone was present for Lake Fairlee, but broad support for all petitions was evident.
The DEC's next step is to review comments and technical merits of the petitions.
To submit a comment letter to the DEC/ANR, the deadline is Dec. 23 at 4:30pm.
Dec 15, 2024
The DEC has posted a recording of the Dec. 12 Montpelier wakesports petition meeting. Click HERE to start the recording at the beginning of the Lake Fairlee portion of the meeting (minute 1:08).
Summary:
The DEC held public meetings on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12 to obtain public comments on the 9 petitions representing 10 lakes asking to prohibit wakesports on their lakes. (Two of the lakes are asking for a complete ban of wake boats.) Written comments can be submitted until Dec. 23rd at 4:30 p.m. (details below). The DEC will review the comments and, on a lake-by-lake basis, decide if they will proceed with rulemaking or reject each petition.
The Lake Fairlee petition, along with 3 others, were presented at the Dec. 12 Montpelier meeting. (An additional 5 petitions covering 6 lakes were presented in Newport on Dec. 10.) The meeting was well attended. The DEC conference room was full and over 50-60 people attended online. Since 4 lakes presented, not everyone was present for Lake Fairlee, but broad support for all petitions was evident.
- 16 individuals spoke in favor of the petition, including representatives of each summer camp operator, selectboard members, Eric Hanson, loon biologist for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and other lake users.
- 4 individuals owning a shared wake boat on the lake spoke in opposition to the petition.
- A spokesperson for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Jesse McArdell, commented during the Caspian Lake segment and asked for his comment to apply to all petitions (at 53:28)
- Lt. Governor-Elect John Rodgers also spoke during the Caspian Lake segment in strong support of all the petitions. (at 1:01:43)
The DEC's next step is to review comments and technical merits of the petitions.
- The DEC Commissioner will decide to either deny a petition or to initiate rulemaking (anticipated in early 2025).
- If rulemaking proceeds, there will be another public comment on the proposed rule.
- New rules, if any, may be adopted in the spring, prior to the summer boating and camping season... but the DEC says there are, "many opportunities for bumps along the way."
To submit a comment letter to the DEC/ANR, the deadline is Dec. 23 at 4:30pm.
- Send your comment to [email protected]
- You MUST include the words "Wakesports" and "Lake Fairlee" in your subject line so they file it correctly under our petition.
DEC Public Meeting on Petition to Prohibit Wakesports on Lake Fairlee - Dec. 12
Dec 7, 2024
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation has scheduled public meetings to invite public comments on the nine petitions covering 10 lakes that currently allow wakesports. The meeting regarding the petition asking the ANR/DEC to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee will be on Dec. 12 at 4:30p.m. in Montpelier and virtually via Microsoft Teams. Full details on how to participate or attend in person or via Teams can be found on the DEC website HERE. Written comments are also being accepted and are due by 4:30p.m. on Dec. 23rd. Email written comments to the ANR at this address: [email protected] You must include the words "Wakesports" and "Lake Fairlee" in the subject line to make sure your comment is part of the Lake Fairlee petition review.
Background:
On April 18, a petition to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee was submitted to the Vermont Department of Conservation (DEC), a division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). The Petitioners include: the LFA; the Selectboards of Fairlee, Thetford, and West Fairlee; and the organizations that operate the camps on Lake Fairlee: the Aloha Foundation, Camp Billings, and Camp Lochearn. Letters of support for the petition came from Fairlee Marine, the Thetford and West Fairlee Conservation Commissions, Eric Hanson (Loon Biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies), and the Treasure Island Committee.
Dec 7, 2024
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation has scheduled public meetings to invite public comments on the nine petitions covering 10 lakes that currently allow wakesports. The meeting regarding the petition asking the ANR/DEC to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee will be on Dec. 12 at 4:30p.m. in Montpelier and virtually via Microsoft Teams. Full details on how to participate or attend in person or via Teams can be found on the DEC website HERE. Written comments are also being accepted and are due by 4:30p.m. on Dec. 23rd. Email written comments to the ANR at this address: [email protected] You must include the words "Wakesports" and "Lake Fairlee" in the subject line to make sure your comment is part of the Lake Fairlee petition review.
Background:
On April 18, a petition to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee was submitted to the Vermont Department of Conservation (DEC), a division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). The Petitioners include: the LFA; the Selectboards of Fairlee, Thetford, and West Fairlee; and the organizations that operate the camps on Lake Fairlee: the Aloha Foundation, Camp Billings, and Camp Lochearn. Letters of support for the petition came from Fairlee Marine, the Thetford and West Fairlee Conservation Commissions, Eric Hanson (Loon Biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies), and the Treasure Island Committee.
Click to enlarge Poster
Living With Beavers In Vermont - Oct. 17 @ Presentation at the Peabody Library (Post Mills) and Visit to Treasure Island
September 25, 2024
Tyler Brown, a wildlife biologist responsible for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife's Beaver Baffle Program, will discuss beaver biology, the benefits of beaver-created wetlands, the history of beavers in Vermont, and current management strategies and techniques for resolving beaver-human conflicts.
After the presentation, join Tyler and local guides Doug Tifft, Jim McCracken, and Peggy Willey for a hike to a beaver lodge at Treasure Island!
Proudly cosponsored by the Peabody Library, West Fairlee Conservation Commission, Thetford Conservation Commission, and the Treasure Island Committee.
September 25, 2024
Tyler Brown, a wildlife biologist responsible for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife's Beaver Baffle Program, will discuss beaver biology, the benefits of beaver-created wetlands, the history of beavers in Vermont, and current management strategies and techniques for resolving beaver-human conflicts.
After the presentation, join Tyler and local guides Doug Tifft, Jim McCracken, and Peggy Willey for a hike to a beaver lodge at Treasure Island!
Proudly cosponsored by the Peabody Library, West Fairlee Conservation Commission, Thetford Conservation Commission, and the Treasure Island Committee.
Loon Stories: Through the Lens of the Lake Fairlee LoonCam - Sept. 18 @ Latham Library
August 26, 2024
This event was recorded. View the presentation here.
Whether you are a loon fanatic or are just curious about this interesting summer visitor, plan to attend our program “Loon Stories: Through the Lens of the Lake Fairlee LoonCam” on Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m. at the Latham Library on Thetford Hill.
This will feature a talk entitled “The Common Loon: Stories About a Loon’s Life and Their Conservation” by Eric Hanson, loon biologist and head of the Vermont Loon Conservation Project for over 25 years. Eric will also narrate a 24-minute video compilation of highlights from the 2024 season showing seldom-seen loon behavior. Local residents Sean Brown and Doug Tifft will briefly share an overview of the Lake Fairlee loon nesting raft and the second year of the Lake Fairlee LoonCam and its worldwide audience.
In his talk, Eric Hanson, will discuss the amazing recovery of loons in Vermont over the past 30 years, the threats that they face, and the conservation actions that have brought them back. He’ll explore their fascinating behaviors and natural history from territorial takeovers to visual and verbal communication. The VLCP is a program of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Thetford resident Sean Brown will give an insider’s view of setting up and running the first and only loon camera in Vermont and his plans for the future. Fairlee resident Doug Tifft, who stewards the loon nesting raft at the northern end of Lake Fairlee, will summarize the successful ninth season which resulted in yet another loon chick.
There will be refreshments and plenty of time for questions afterwards. This program is generously hosted by the Latham Library on Thetford Hill.
August 26, 2024
This event was recorded. View the presentation here.
Whether you are a loon fanatic or are just curious about this interesting summer visitor, plan to attend our program “Loon Stories: Through the Lens of the Lake Fairlee LoonCam” on Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m. at the Latham Library on Thetford Hill.
This will feature a talk entitled “The Common Loon: Stories About a Loon’s Life and Their Conservation” by Eric Hanson, loon biologist and head of the Vermont Loon Conservation Project for over 25 years. Eric will also narrate a 24-minute video compilation of highlights from the 2024 season showing seldom-seen loon behavior. Local residents Sean Brown and Doug Tifft will briefly share an overview of the Lake Fairlee loon nesting raft and the second year of the Lake Fairlee LoonCam and its worldwide audience.
In his talk, Eric Hanson, will discuss the amazing recovery of loons in Vermont over the past 30 years, the threats that they face, and the conservation actions that have brought them back. He’ll explore their fascinating behaviors and natural history from territorial takeovers to visual and verbal communication. The VLCP is a program of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Thetford resident Sean Brown will give an insider’s view of setting up and running the first and only loon camera in Vermont and his plans for the future. Fairlee resident Doug Tifft, who stewards the loon nesting raft at the northern end of Lake Fairlee, will summarize the successful ninth season which resulted in yet another loon chick.
There will be refreshments and plenty of time for questions afterwards. This program is generously hosted by the Latham Library on Thetford Hill.
LFA Annual Meeting @ Horizons Camp - July 20, 2024
July 22, 2024
The annual meeting was held once again at Horizons Camp. Attended by approximately 50 members, mingling before and after the meeting was enjoyed by all. Reports from key LFA committees and board members were presented. Elections were held; Katherine Babbott, Kirsten Detrick, and David Forbes were reappointed for new 3 year terms and newly elected board member, Stuart Fairbairn, will represent the Aloha Foundation camps. Lisa Johnson was reappointed as Clerk for another year. Nick Harvey and David Matthews will continue an affiliation with the board as Emeritus Board members.
Funds were raised via the auction of Lisa Johnson's wonderful loon painting and a few other items. Thank you Lisa for donating your work of art! Throw blankets featuring many of the camps, past and present, were sold as well as LFA wine glasses. LFA logo baseball caps were also on sale; some are still available. If you would like to buy a baseball cap ($30), please send an email request to [email protected]
July 22, 2024
The annual meeting was held once again at Horizons Camp. Attended by approximately 50 members, mingling before and after the meeting was enjoyed by all. Reports from key LFA committees and board members were presented. Elections were held; Katherine Babbott, Kirsten Detrick, and David Forbes were reappointed for new 3 year terms and newly elected board member, Stuart Fairbairn, will represent the Aloha Foundation camps. Lisa Johnson was reappointed as Clerk for another year. Nick Harvey and David Matthews will continue an affiliation with the board as Emeritus Board members.
Funds were raised via the auction of Lisa Johnson's wonderful loon painting and a few other items. Thank you Lisa for donating your work of art! Throw blankets featuring many of the camps, past and present, were sold as well as LFA wine glasses. LFA logo baseball caps were also on sale; some are still available. If you would like to buy a baseball cap ($30), please send an email request to [email protected]
Second Annual Summer Social a Success - Finally!
June 30, 2024
After multiple postponements due to rainy weather, the 2nd Annual Summer Social took place on a gorgeous late afternoon at Doug Tifft & Bonnie MacAdam's waterfront on Sunday, June 30th. Approximately 40 LFA members attended. All enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting new neighbors. The highlight was the the previous day's birth of the baby loon chick. The LoonCam was available for attendees to watch. Sean Brown and Doug Tifft spoke about the loons and the LoonCam. View the LoonCam's streaming video and highlight snippets. Keep a look out for more social events this summer!
June 30, 2024
After multiple postponements due to rainy weather, the 2nd Annual Summer Social took place on a gorgeous late afternoon at Doug Tifft & Bonnie MacAdam's waterfront on Sunday, June 30th. Approximately 40 LFA members attended. All enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting new neighbors. The highlight was the the previous day's birth of the baby loon chick. The LoonCam was available for attendees to watch. Sean Brown and Doug Tifft spoke about the loons and the LoonCam. View the LoonCam's streaming video and highlight snippets. Keep a look out for more social events this summer!
Loon Chick Has Arrived - June 29th
June 30, 2024
On June 29 at around 5pm, the first egg hatched revealing a beautiful baby loon. The next day we all experienced joy and anxiety about the health of the chick and the fate of the second egg. Today (June 30), we have confirmed that the second chick was stillborn. While disappointing that our second chick did not survive, it reminds us of the natural rhythms of the lake and how fortunate we are to watch and learn from our wild environment. The loon family vacated the nest this afternoon to move on to a nursery area nearby. We will continue to observe and monitor their health and look forward to welcoming them again next year. Thank you again to all of you for your engagement, encouragement, and vigilant observations of loon behavior, of which we still have much to learn. Hopefully, the loon cam can continue to contribute to our understanding of these wonderful beings.
June 30, 2024
On June 29 at around 5pm, the first egg hatched revealing a beautiful baby loon. The next day we all experienced joy and anxiety about the health of the chick and the fate of the second egg. Today (June 30), we have confirmed that the second chick was stillborn. While disappointing that our second chick did not survive, it reminds us of the natural rhythms of the lake and how fortunate we are to watch and learn from our wild environment. The loon family vacated the nest this afternoon to move on to a nursery area nearby. We will continue to observe and monitor their health and look forward to welcoming them again next year. Thank you again to all of you for your engagement, encouragement, and vigilant observations of loon behavior, of which we still have much to learn. Hopefully, the loon cam can continue to contribute to our understanding of these wonderful beings.
Lake Fairlee Loons Lay An Egg To Worldwide Acclaim
June 3, 2024
Lake Fairlee loon cam watchers from Pakistan to Michigan awoke to fantastic news on the morning of June 3. The Lake Fairlee loons had finally produced an egg following a disappointing prior year with no eggs at all. Highlights posted to the LFA YouTube channel show the proud parents tending to the egg, including a close-up of the "egg roll" done with great care to maintain even heating.
This is the eighth year in which a loon pair has nested on the raft furnished by the Vermont Loon Conservation Project. Loons first nested successfully on the shore at the mouth of Blood Brook in 2016, producing the first of seven chicks born in subsequent years. Annually, Vermont loons raise under 100 new chicks each year across the entire state.
This year the loons began sitting on the raft on May 8 following its re-foliation and launching by Doug Tifft and his crew of helpers three days earlier. In the following weeks, the growing loon cam audience watched round the clock as the pair constructed the nest and did everything necessary to produce an egg (yes, some days repeatedly). This is the second year of operation for the only loon cam in the state, which was initiated by Sean Brown and sponsored by the LFA. It provides valuable insights into loon behavior, including clues to last year's puzzling outcome with no egg laid at all. Dedicated viewers who use monikers such as Loonychick, Ebbandflow, and Nascar19fan watch round the clock and post timestamps of significant events.
A second egg may yet be laid in the next day or so. With a gestation period of about 28 days, a loon chick could arrive before the end of June if all goes well. However, as revealed by the loon cam, the egg and the chick face numerous obstacles, including snapping turtles climbing on the raft, eagles swooping from above, and predators such as raccoons swimming from the shore. Some of these dangers have been recorded in the highlights from 2023 and 2024 posted on the LFA YouTube channel. Once the young are hatched, the parents soon depart the nesting raft and can be seen all around the lake with the chick or chicks riding on their back or trailing hungrily behind. The loon cam will then no longer be the site for this part of the loon life cycle, though our remote visitors continue to exalt at the sound of peepers and bullfrogs at night and Lake Fairlee's incomparable sunrises, sunsets, and misty mornings.
June 3, 2024
Lake Fairlee loon cam watchers from Pakistan to Michigan awoke to fantastic news on the morning of June 3. The Lake Fairlee loons had finally produced an egg following a disappointing prior year with no eggs at all. Highlights posted to the LFA YouTube channel show the proud parents tending to the egg, including a close-up of the "egg roll" done with great care to maintain even heating.
This is the eighth year in which a loon pair has nested on the raft furnished by the Vermont Loon Conservation Project. Loons first nested successfully on the shore at the mouth of Blood Brook in 2016, producing the first of seven chicks born in subsequent years. Annually, Vermont loons raise under 100 new chicks each year across the entire state.
This year the loons began sitting on the raft on May 8 following its re-foliation and launching by Doug Tifft and his crew of helpers three days earlier. In the following weeks, the growing loon cam audience watched round the clock as the pair constructed the nest and did everything necessary to produce an egg (yes, some days repeatedly). This is the second year of operation for the only loon cam in the state, which was initiated by Sean Brown and sponsored by the LFA. It provides valuable insights into loon behavior, including clues to last year's puzzling outcome with no egg laid at all. Dedicated viewers who use monikers such as Loonychick, Ebbandflow, and Nascar19fan watch round the clock and post timestamps of significant events.
A second egg may yet be laid in the next day or so. With a gestation period of about 28 days, a loon chick could arrive before the end of June if all goes well. However, as revealed by the loon cam, the egg and the chick face numerous obstacles, including snapping turtles climbing on the raft, eagles swooping from above, and predators such as raccoons swimming from the shore. Some of these dangers have been recorded in the highlights from 2023 and 2024 posted on the LFA YouTube channel. Once the young are hatched, the parents soon depart the nesting raft and can be seen all around the lake with the chick or chicks riding on their back or trailing hungrily behind. The loon cam will then no longer be the site for this part of the loon life cycle, though our remote visitors continue to exalt at the sound of peepers and bullfrogs at night and Lake Fairlee's incomparable sunrises, sunsets, and misty mornings.
Greeter Wake Boat Seminar
June 3, 2024
On Sunday, June 2nd, the LFA held a small educational seminar for our team of greeters who work at the boat launch. Subject's covered included the various types of boats capable of enhanced wake operation, how they operate, and how to identify them when they come to the launch on Lake Fairlee. The LFA strives to offer the best advise possible to all boaters during pre and post launch inspection in order to best assist our lake patrons to operate within the state operating rules. The ability to better identify a boat capable of enhanced wake operation allows us to better guide such boaters on how to operate within the newly formed wake sports zone on Lake Fairlee. The seminar was taught by Lake Fairlee Board of Trustee and lake-front owner Ben McLaughlin.
June 3, 2024
On Sunday, June 2nd, the LFA held a small educational seminar for our team of greeters who work at the boat launch. Subject's covered included the various types of boats capable of enhanced wake operation, how they operate, and how to identify them when they come to the launch on Lake Fairlee. The LFA strives to offer the best advise possible to all boaters during pre and post launch inspection in order to best assist our lake patrons to operate within the state operating rules. The ability to better identify a boat capable of enhanced wake operation allows us to better guide such boaters on how to operate within the newly formed wake sports zone on Lake Fairlee. The seminar was taught by Lake Fairlee Board of Trustee and lake-front owner Ben McLaughlin.
Lake Fairlee Ice Out History
April 25, 2024
This year, ice out was on April 6. Some lakes call "ice out" when a brick or other object falls through the ice. On Lake Fairlee the ice out has been called when all ice has melted off of the lake, including the bays. The ice out date has been tracked since 1975. Was this year's ice out date earlier or later than usual? If you are curious, you can learn more here.
April 25, 2024
This year, ice out was on April 6. Some lakes call "ice out" when a brick or other object falls through the ice. On Lake Fairlee the ice out has been called when all ice has melted off of the lake, including the bays. The ice out date has been tracked since 1975. Was this year's ice out date earlier or later than usual? If you are curious, you can learn more here.
Petition to Prohibit Wakesports on Lake Fairlee Submitted to Vermont DEC
April 20, 2024
On April 18, a petition to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee was submitted to the Vermont Department of Conservation (DEC), a division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). The Petitioners include: the LFA; the Selectboards of Fairlee, Thetford, and West Fairlee; and the organizations that operate the camps on Lake Fairlee: the Aloha Foundation, Camp Billings, and Camp Lochearn. Letters of support for the petition came from Fairlee Marine, the Thetford and West Fairlee Conservation Commissions, Eric Hanson (Loon Biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies), and the Treasure Island Committee.
The Petitioners do not believe the new statewide rule that allows wakesports within 500 feet from shore and 200 feet from other mid-lake boaters and swimmers adequately protects the lake ecosystem and the safety of traditional lake users. At its March 20 board meeting, the LFA Board voted 9-1 to submit the petition to prohibit wakesports. Specifically, the petition requests the ANR to add a new rule to the Vermont Use of Public Waters Rules (UPWR) Appendix A, Lake Specific Rules, under the Lake Fairlee section:
"b. Wakesports are prohibited."
Wakesports are defined in the UPWR as:
§5.17 “Wakesports” means:
A. to operate a wakeboat with ballast tanks, bags, or other devices or design features engaged to increase the size of the boat’s wake; or
B. to use a surfboard, wakeboard, hydrofoil, or similar device to ride on or in the wake: i. directly behind a wakeboat without a rope; or ii. directly behind a wakeboat with or without a rope, when the wakeboat has ballast tanks, bags, or other devices or design features engaged as described in Section 5.17.A.
Had the new statewide rule included the 1000-foot from shore distance for wakesports as requested in the Responsible Wakes petition (which was supported by the LFA) wakesports would not have been permitted on Lake Fairlee. The ANR acknowledged that it did not consider safety needs when drafting the statewide rule. For example, despite wakesports' much larger and more powerful wakes, the ANR left the current 200-foot distance any motorboat can operate from other boats and swimmers unchanged. During the statewide rulemaking process, the ANR recognized it will receive petitions from multiple lake organizations and municipalities seeking stronger recreational safety protections.
The statewide wakesports rule went into effect on April 15, 2024. The summer of 2025 is soonest the rule requesting a wakesports prohibition on Lake Fairlee could go into effect. The rulemaking process requires the DEC to hold a public hearing and provide a process for written comments on the Lake Fairlee-specific petition before deciding to make a rule change. These events have not been scheduled, but are expected to take place this summer.
A number of Lake Associations have petitioned ANR for stronger wake boat and wakesports regulation on their lakes.
April 20, 2024
On April 18, a petition to prohibit wakesports on Lake Fairlee was submitted to the Vermont Department of Conservation (DEC), a division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). The Petitioners include: the LFA; the Selectboards of Fairlee, Thetford, and West Fairlee; and the organizations that operate the camps on Lake Fairlee: the Aloha Foundation, Camp Billings, and Camp Lochearn. Letters of support for the petition came from Fairlee Marine, the Thetford and West Fairlee Conservation Commissions, Eric Hanson (Loon Biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies), and the Treasure Island Committee.
The Petitioners do not believe the new statewide rule that allows wakesports within 500 feet from shore and 200 feet from other mid-lake boaters and swimmers adequately protects the lake ecosystem and the safety of traditional lake users. At its March 20 board meeting, the LFA Board voted 9-1 to submit the petition to prohibit wakesports. Specifically, the petition requests the ANR to add a new rule to the Vermont Use of Public Waters Rules (UPWR) Appendix A, Lake Specific Rules, under the Lake Fairlee section:
"b. Wakesports are prohibited."
Wakesports are defined in the UPWR as:
§5.17 “Wakesports” means:
A. to operate a wakeboat with ballast tanks, bags, or other devices or design features engaged to increase the size of the boat’s wake; or
B. to use a surfboard, wakeboard, hydrofoil, or similar device to ride on or in the wake: i. directly behind a wakeboat without a rope; or ii. directly behind a wakeboat with or without a rope, when the wakeboat has ballast tanks, bags, or other devices or design features engaged as described in Section 5.17.A.
- The rule proposed in Lake Fairlee-specific petition would still allow wake boat use on Lake Fairlee as long as the boat is not engaged in wakesports.
- Additionally, this rule will continue to allow wakeboarding behind a conventional ski boat or motorboat.
Had the new statewide rule included the 1000-foot from shore distance for wakesports as requested in the Responsible Wakes petition (which was supported by the LFA) wakesports would not have been permitted on Lake Fairlee. The ANR acknowledged that it did not consider safety needs when drafting the statewide rule. For example, despite wakesports' much larger and more powerful wakes, the ANR left the current 200-foot distance any motorboat can operate from other boats and swimmers unchanged. During the statewide rulemaking process, the ANR recognized it will receive petitions from multiple lake organizations and municipalities seeking stronger recreational safety protections.
The statewide wakesports rule went into effect on April 15, 2024. The summer of 2025 is soonest the rule requesting a wakesports prohibition on Lake Fairlee could go into effect. The rulemaking process requires the DEC to hold a public hearing and provide a process for written comments on the Lake Fairlee-specific petition before deciding to make a rule change. These events have not been scheduled, but are expected to take place this summer.
A number of Lake Associations have petitioned ANR for stronger wake boat and wakesports regulation on their lakes.
New Vermont Wakeboating and Wakesports Rule Takes Effect April 15
April 15, 2024
A new rule under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules takes effect on April 15 that regulates wakeboating and wakesports on Vermont’s lakes. Vermont’s Use of Public Waters (UPW) Rules were developed to avoid and resolve recreational conflicts, to protect normal or designated uses on all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and to ensure that natural resource values of public waters are fully protected.
For more information on the statewide rule, click HERE
For a map of Lake Fairlee's Wake Sports Zone, click HERE
Download wakesport zone maps for free in the Avenza app to use GPS-enabled maps offline
April 15, 2024
A new rule under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules takes effect on April 15 that regulates wakeboating and wakesports on Vermont’s lakes. Vermont’s Use of Public Waters (UPW) Rules were developed to avoid and resolve recreational conflicts, to protect normal or designated uses on all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and to ensure that natural resource values of public waters are fully protected.
For more information on the statewide rule, click HERE
For a map of Lake Fairlee's Wake Sports Zone, click HERE
Download wakesport zone maps for free in the Avenza app to use GPS-enabled maps offline
Special FOVLAP Event, March 26 - Recording and Presentations Available
Vermont's Wake Boat Rule
March 28, 2024
Beginning on April 15, 2024, a new rule under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules takes effect that regulates wake boating and wakesports on Vermont’s lakes. Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules were developed to avoid and resolve recreational conflicts, to protect normal or designated uses on all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and to ensure that natural resource values of public waters are fully protected.
On March 26, FOVLAP sponsored a seminar describing how Vermont's new wake boat rule will be rolled out by Vermont DEC, including outreach to lake users and enforcement officials. The event featured activities of lake associations preparing for this rollout and briefly touched on the topic of individual lakes preparing new petitions to strengthen restrictions. If you missed this event:
Vermont's Wake Boat Rule
March 28, 2024
Beginning on April 15, 2024, a new rule under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules takes effect that regulates wake boating and wakesports on Vermont’s lakes. Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules were developed to avoid and resolve recreational conflicts, to protect normal or designated uses on all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and to ensure that natural resource values of public waters are fully protected.
On March 26, FOVLAP sponsored a seminar describing how Vermont's new wake boat rule will be rolled out by Vermont DEC, including outreach to lake users and enforcement officials. The event featured activities of lake associations preparing for this rollout and briefly touched on the topic of individual lakes preparing new petitions to strengthen restrictions. If you missed this event:
- View the recorded event HERE
- PDFs of the presentations are all available HERE
- Visit the DEC's Wakeboating and Wakesports in Vermont webpage for addition rule details HERE
- Go to the Avenza Maps App HERE (Mobile app that allows you to download a map of all Vermont lakes that have a Wake Sport Zone and view your position on the map without a cellular connection.)
- See DEC's Maps of all Vermont Lakes' Wake Sports Zones HERE
The News Archives contains past Loon Call Area News and are available here.
The previous LFA blog will be maintained as an historical record and is available here.
Download a digital copy of At Home by the Water - Caring for Lake Fairlee and Its Watershed
This user-friendly book was created to inform and educate Lake Fairlee and watershed homeowners as to best practices that we, as homeowners, can do to help protect and preserve our fragile lake and watershed ecosystem.
Renter Guidelines, Contractor Tips, Permits, and Additional Resources
This user-friendly book was created to inform and educate Lake Fairlee and watershed homeowners as to best practices that we, as homeowners, can do to help protect and preserve our fragile lake and watershed ecosystem.
Renter Guidelines, Contractor Tips, Permits, and Additional Resources
What We Do
The Lake Fairlee Association (LFA) safeguards the unique ecosystem of Lake Fairlee and its watershed. We achieve this through:
- Invasive Species Prevention: Our Greeter Program inspects and decontaminates watercraft.
- Milfoil Control: We survey, perform targeted removal through Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH), and strategically apply herbicides to manage milfoil. Report milfoil locations on the Milfoil Observation Form.
- Water Quality Monitoring: The Water Quality Action Committee (WQAC) conducts thorough testing, including testing of tributaries and for cyanobacteria.
- Shoreline Stewardship: We promote the Lake Wise program for responsible property management.
- Loon Conservation: The "LoonCam" monitors nesting loons for enjoyment of all and as an aid to their protection.
- Responsible Boating: We support responsible boating to protect the lake and its users.
Your membership, donations, and volunteer efforts are vital to our mission. Join us!
About Lake Fairlee
Lake Fairlee is a 2 mile long, 462 acre natural lake located in three towns: Thetford, Fairlee, and West Fairlee. The lake is fed from the north by two brooks, Middle Brook and Blood Brook. At the lake’s southwesterly outlet is the recently rebuilt Lake Fairlee Dam (2015). The water flows past the dam and makes its way into the Ompompanoosuc River, which, in turn, empties into the Connecticut River. A combination of four roads surround the lake: VT RT-244, Quinibeck Road, Robinson Hill Road, and Lake Shore Drive. There are two public access points, the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Access Area/Boat Launch on RT-244 in West Fairlee and Thetford's Treasure Island (fees required), also on RT-244 in West Fairlee.
Lake Fairlee from the air.
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The LFA sends out periodic newsletters and announcements. If you would like our newsletters and announcements emailed to you, please provide us with your email address.
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Please contact us if you have any questions about the LFA or wish to tell us about interesting happenings around the lake.
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