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Residents call for action on reckless jet-ski use on Crystal Lake; board to follow up with wardens
Summary
Multiple Crystal Lake residents told the Select Board that jet-ski operators regularly violate no-wake zones and endanger swimmers and wildlife; the board advised reporting incidents to the Maine Warden Service and asked staff to investigate legal steps for longer-term restrictions.
Several Harrison residents spoke during public comment on June 25 to report increasing reckless jet-ski activity on Crystal Lake, particularly in no-wake zones near shore and small coves. Speakers said personal watercraft often travel at high speeds within the 200-foot no-wake buffer, perform dangerous maneuvers near swimmers and nesting wildlife, and retreat before warden service can respond.
Carol Durkin, who said she lives on Crystal Heights and spends significant time on the water, described videotaping reckless maneuvers and shelling of wildlife; she recounted rescue and injury to a loon in a prior season. Residents requested short-term responses — more frequent patrols by the Maine Warden Service and harbor master visits on busy weekends — and asked the board to research the formal process to ban or restrict personal watercraft on the lake.
Board members said the town can advise residents to call the Warden Service when violations occur and that recorded complaints help build the case for longer-term restrictions handled through the state process. Staff (John) will investigate the steps required to petition for lake-specific restrictions and report back to the board.
