2026 membership drive photo of lake

We invite everyone who cares about Vermont’s lakes and ponds to become a member of FOVLAP.
Our voices are stronger together!

There are two easy ways to join:

  1. Credit card – visit our Membership page on the FOVLAP website. Choose a  “Start Now” button under one of the Membership categories. OR
  2. Print and fill out the FOVLAP Membership Form and pay by check.  Mail your completed form and dues check to FOVLAP, P.O. Box 766, Montpelier, VT 05601.

Individual and lake representative memberships are only $25/year and Association memberships $50/year.

PLEASE NOTE:

All types of memberships will expire at the end of the calendar year. Dues paid at any time during a given calendar year will provide active membership until the end of that calendar year.

If you are a renewing Lake Association member, we ask that you renew by Feb. 14  to continue your membership presence on our member profile page. Your membership profile will automatically drop off the website after February 14th without a renewal.

Membership dues allow us to:

Share information through our newsletter, website, social media pages, and email list;

Sponsor a variety of online, hybrid, and in-person events. These include:

– The Lake Seminar held annually on the first Friday in June
– The Annual Meeting held annually on the Thursday after Labor Day
– Webinars and panel discussions on many topics

Advocate with the state legislature and administration on issues affecting our lakes;

Update the public on legislation & administrative activities that affect the state’s waters;

Act as a liaison among lake and pond associations and state agencies.

We can’t do this work without the support of those who love our lakes. Your membership helps FOVLAP preserve & protect Vermont waters for this and future generations.

Significant FOVLAP accomplishments in 2025:

Wake Boats and the Wake Sports Rule

  • FOVLAP  submitted a lengthy statement in response to the DEC’s proposed revisions of the wake sports rule as well as other provisions in the Use of Public Waters Rules.
  • Pat Suozzi (FOVLAP President) testified at the Senate Natural Resources committee concerning AIS and wake sports.

Legislative Advocacy

  • Kent Henderson, FOVLAP board member, presented testimony on behalf of FOVLAP to both the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the House Committee on Environment on the Chloride Reduction bills (S.29 and H.86).
  • Members of the Legislative Committee visited the State house to  talk with legislators about lake protection issues.
  • The Legislative Committee shared information for members regarding lake related legislation and tracked bills of interest to the lakes community on the FOVLAP website.

Outreach Activities

We published commentaries  in local media outlets on lake issues and lake protection. FOVLAP convenes several informal discussion groups on specific topics to provide a forum for members to share information and discuss ideas.  Currently, two groups are active: Milfoil Solutions for representatives of lakes actively fighting milfoil infestations and the 30 Lakes Group for representatives of lakes eligible to host wake sports. New groups on other topics will be coming in 2026. In-person and Zoom visits with both member lake associations, lake associations who are considering membership, and lake communities without lake associations to provide information to learn about needs of lake communities and to provide help and information.

Grants

A grant supported hiring our first staff person, which has proved very successful and helped amplify our efforts.  Another LCBP grant was obtained to create an education video about preserving and protecting our lakes.

Membership in FOVLAP 

51 members presently.  Five lake associations were visited by FOVLAP board members; Lake Elmore, Green River Reservoir, Friends of Wolcott Pond and East Long Pond. Nelson Pond will be visited next summer, with a goal of visiting even more lakes next summer. Each visit was planned beforehand with a specific goal specified by the lake association. Board members are encouraged to present at their association meetings.

Webinars

Six Clean Water webinars focused on LWAPs were presented and all are available on the website.

Scholarships 

Two scholarships were awarded to seniors from Lyndon Institute and Bellows Falls Union.

Working together we present a far stronger voice for lake protection as our lakes face greater and greater challenges.

Thank you!

We look forward to working with you in 2026,

Pat Suozzi, President

The Membership Committee: Dave Johnson, Jerremy Jones, Peggy Barter, Jay White, Jeri Bergdahl, Chair

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