Hello to all in the Lake St. Catherine community. We hope you are all staying healthy and well.

The LSCA was just provided the following information from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department concerning the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and how that may potentially impact boating activities this summer. The stay at home order was recently extended to May 15th.

The department’s Fishing Access Areas are open 24/7 as they always have been, but the public is reminded to practice safe social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with.

Information from Vermont Fish & Wildlife:

"In order to comply with the Governor’s orders for maintaining essential services and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, VFWD will not be providing portable toilet services, installing docks, or allowing Public Access Greeters. This will last until at least May 15th to keep the public and contractors safe and healthy during this pandemic.

To use the access areas safely, the public is reminded to practice social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with. While using the fishing access areas, ANR asks residents to use the necessary precautions to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• Don’t leave the house if you are feeling ill.
• Only travel and fish with those in your immediate household.
• Maintain at least a six-foot distance at boat ramps (about the length of a fishing rod when held out at arm’s length).
• Avoid congregating in congested areas like fishing platforms, ramps and docks, and popular shore fishing locations like bridges or culverts.
• Don’t pull your boat on shore next to another boat while loading and unloading.
• Avoid unnecessary stops on the way to and from fishing or boating.

Residents are always asked to maintain on-going aquatic invasive species spread prevention measures to comply with the Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations (10 V.S.A. 1454). These regulations require persons to inspect their vessel, vessel trailer, motor vehicle and other equipment upon entering and departing a waterbody and to remove any aquatic plants, plant parts and aquatic nuisance species found on vessels or equipment.

The recreational boating season generally kicks off Memorial Day weekend and ANR is working to develop practical guidelines, potential training opportunities, and educational and informational signage to support invasive species spread prevention operations that will be available prior to that time. However, Special Use Permits and Public Access Greeter Programs are on-hold until further notice. Staff will continue to work with boaters and Public Access Greeter Programs to keep them updated to ensure a safe boating season."

The LSCA is committed to our Greeter / Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Keeping invasive species out of LSC is one of our top priorities. Over the past few months, we have been preparing our 2020 program - and we hope to be able to kick it off over the Memorial Day weekend.

We'll keep you up to date.

Be well.