Recreational Enforcement and Education Unit

Vermont State Police, Department of Public Safety

We’ve all encountered state troopers on the highways. But since the 1960s, troopers have also patrolled state waters and, more recently, snowmobile trails. These state police became the Recreational Enforcement and Education Unit, enforcing marine and snowmobile laws and running safety-education programs throughout the state and online.

Motorized boats and snowmobiles must be registered with the state; about 40,000 of each currently are. Boaters born after Jan. 1, 1974 must earn a Vermont Boater Safety certificate (or equivalent from another state) to operate a motorized vessel in public waters. Snowmobilers born after Jan. 1, 1983 must earn a snowmobile certificate.

In 2007, the Recreational Enforcement and Education Unit:
• managed 40 volunteer safety instructors
• maintained 27 snowmobiles and 17 powerboats for official use
• held 51 boating and 121 snowmobile safety courses
• issued 1,806 Boater Safety certificates (1,351 online, 455 classroom)
• issued 1,770 Snowmobile Safety certificates (229 online, 1,541 classroom)

Employees: 2 full-time and 40 part-time troopers

Fiscal Year 2007 Expenditures: $1,118,570
(42 percent personal services, 48 percent operating expenses, 10 percent grants)

Fiscal Year 2007 Revenues: $1,133,683
(17 percent Transportation Fund, 68 percent federal funds, 9 percent boating registration fees, 6 percent from the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST))

Source: Vermont Department of Public Safety

Download a PDF of the spotlight.