Proposed law says: This spud’s not for you, boater

Boaters trying to create an extra mooring spot on New Hampshire lakes may soon find that their spud’s a dud.

Spuds are basically long poles that can be driven into the bottom of a lake, creating a place to attach a watercraft without using an existing mooring site. 

“These devices are being used to subvert mooring permits on six state lakes where permits are required,” the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee wrote in a synopsis of debate about a bill that would add spuds and similar devices to the definition of “mooring” in state laws.

If the Legislature and governor agree, this change would prevent spuds from being used by casual boaters except while fishing.

Legal mooring sites are valuable commodities on state lakes since limitations on developing shorelines make it difficult to add more.

In its deliberations the committee amended the original bill, exempting certain uses: construction barges, official watercraft and vessels being used by the owner to go fishing.