KENT, Conn.—The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has given its imprimatur to the ordinance passed on Thursday, July 31, prohibiting the use of wake-enhancing devices on boats launched on Lake Waramaug.
The ordinance was passed by Warren, Kent and Washington, the three towns that have shorelines along the lake.
It prohibits the use of any other device or practice that artificially enhances or increases the size of a vessel’s wake, including ballast tanks, weight-loading hydrofoils or wake shapers.
To enforce the ban, the ordinance requires inspection of all power vessels before they are launched on the lake and a written confirmation from the boat owner or operator that all ballast tanks have been made inoperable and that the vessel will not be operated to produce an artificially enhanced wake.
Those violating the ordinance are subject to a fine of $250 for each occurrence. Continuing violations are treated as separate offenses.
The Lake Waramaug Authority drafted the ordinance based on safety and environmental concerns.
The ordinance was sent for review by DEEP and on Monday, Oct. 6, the agency completed its review and approved the ordinance. It goes into effect in February when it is published in the Connecticut DEEP Boater Safety Guide.Â
Those with questions should contact First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer at 860-927-4858 or email firstselectman@townofkentct.gov.
