THE FOLLOWING CAME TONIGHT FROM RAY RICHER, JPA WATER QUALITY OFFICER:

Hi Jane,

As you know the ski-course that has been placed off the west shore of Joe’s Pond has raised some questions about placement and also about jurisdiction between agencies as to who controls what…

The condensed version is that anything involving safety issues on the water is to be reported to the State Police. LT. Dan Begiebing is the commander of the Recreation and Education Unit of the State Police… his contact number is: 802-878-7111 ex. 2014 (but be aware that is also the number for emergency phone calls…) He also may be found/contacted on the State Police website www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/rec_enforce.html

Also, if you have a complaint or concern about the placement of the course or a question as to the ruling involving the placement of the course contact Steven Hanna (Head of Shoreland Encroachment/Water Quality Division for ANR ~~Agency of Natural Resources). His number is: 802-241-3791. He will be very helpful supplying you with any info that you may request.

As water quality officer for Joe’s Pond I have contacted each of these individuals and have been made aware of the current laws regarding the placement of such a course. It is my understanding from what they have explained, that as long as the course is 200 ft off shore, and there are no other restrictions for its use, that no permit is required. Keeping in mind that if a skier is violating any safe distance limits from a swimmer or boat/vessel whether moored or docked while in the presence of an officer he may be ticketed for this violation…In other words you must know and conform to any safety laws of a body of water no matter how far from land.

Contacting these two individuals directly would seem to be the best way address any concerns. There is a ‘bigger voice’ in numbers… if it is always myself or Tom that does the calling the impact is not as great as it would be if more were to call.

I must say that the person responsible for putting up the course has been VERY cooperative and has moved the course out further from the shoreline… (Whether it lines up well over the whole course with the 200 ft set-back I do not know at this time, as I have not had the chance to inspect it) If there are any complaints or concerns please contact the persons above for a qualified response and feel free to share any safety/environmental-impact concerns that you may have with these officials. These issues involving our shoreland and the safety of swimmers off our shorelines may need to be brought to the forefront if there seems to you to be any oversights in the current laws.

Thank you… Ray Richer, Water Quality Officer JPA

Thanks, Ray, for this information. I'm sure it helps clarify the situation and, hopefully, people will take your advice and contact the people with the authority to act on it.