Dear BICA member,

Many of you have voiced concerns about excessive boating speed, excessive noise, boating safety, and other related issues on Lake Winnipesaukee.  Now you have a chance to get involved and do something about your concerns!

Last year, Representative Paul Hatch of Wolfeboro sponsored a bill that, if approved, would have instituted a 25 mph night-time speed limit on the lake.  However, the bill didn't pass for a number of reasons.  One of the reasons was that out of approximately 80 people at the bill's public hearing last winter, only one person spoke in favor of the speed limit.  How could this have happened when all summer long the lake resounds with complaints about excessive boating speed and diminished safety?  Perhaps because most people simply were not aware of the proposed legislation or the hearing.  If you were one of these people, and if you would like to be aware of and be involved in shaping and supporting future legislation, here’s what you can do:

·        Write a letter to Senator Carl Johnson, 42 Dale Road, Meredith, NH 03253, expressing your concerns.  Senator Johnson has indicated he would support a new Winnipesaukee boating regulation bill if it is well-researched, feasible, enforceable, and considerate of all who live, play, and work on lake. (If you live in southern NH, you can also write to your local senator and representative, as their votes count, too.) Sen. Johnson is putting together a roundtable discussion group -- including representatives from New Hampshire Lakes Association, the Marine Patrol, marinas, and lakefront property owners – and has invited BICA to send a representative.

·        Ask to be put on the legislative update e-mail list at New Hampshire Lakes Association  so you will be aware of proposed legislation and public hearings.  NHLA is a very effective non-profit advocacy group that lobbies for legislation on behalf of its members.  Approximately 80% of its members are lakefront property owners and lake associations around the state, including BICA.   Phone 603-226-0299; e-mail DKS@nhlakes.org

 ·       Communicate your concerns to NHLA’s Environmental Policy Director  by phone, letter, or e-mail.  Consider joining and donating to NHLA. Encourage others who live on, boat on, or make their living on the lake to do the same. 

·        Testify in person or by letter at the public hearings for proposed legislation.  If new boating legislation is proposed this fall, as we hope, the Senate public hearings will be in February and the House hearings in April in Concord.

·        Help research boating rules on lakes in other states.  The internet is a great resource for this.  If you’d like to help with this, talk with either one of us.

Thank you for any help you can give!

                                                                        Caroline McNerney and Jerry Whiteleather

                                                                        Members, Bear Island Conservation Association

                                                                        Ph: 279-6606    E-mail: jerryw1030@yahoo.com