Freedom—May 5, 2025—Boaters have flaunted the “no trespassing” signs at Ossipee Lake Natural Area each year since the pandemic, knowing the odds of being arrested are low.
But now it’s clear that while the odds are still low, they’re not zero, and the penalty for getting busted can be painful.
Ranger Tom Trask of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands was making his rounds at the limited access preserve last summer when he encountered four groups of boaters trespassing where signs clearly state the area is closed to the public.
He said the first group “went ballistic” as he approached.
“The first individual’s father was very angry and screamed at me the entire time” while he wrote a summons, Trask said, adding that the boater in question was “older than 18,” making him an adult by state law.
The boater was arraigned in court and went home after paying a $620 fine.
Most drivers who are nabbed for speeding in a car know a bit of remorse can go a long way, and dissing the officer who pinched you isn’t prudent. The same holds true for Forest Rangers, who, like highway troopers, are law enforcement officers.
Like all law enforcement officers, Forest Rangers have discretion about the direction an encounter with an offender will go.
Trask said three other groups he encountered that day last summer were “polite and apologetic.” After discussing the situation with his Captain, he decided to only issue an administrative summons.
But breaking the law is still breaking the law, and polite behavior can only get you so far. Trask said his initial inclination was to require the owners of the three boats to go to court and plea bargain to waive the fine. This time, the boaters got lucky.
“It could easily have gone the other way” is the message the state wants boaters to hear when it comes to following the rules at Ossipee Lake Natural Area.
The Natural Area’s unique management plan allows boaters to recreate on a designated part of the property in exchange for steering clear of the rest of preserve, which contains rare and endangered plant species that are still recovering from years of abuse.
A self-monitoring plan managed by volunteer boaters was a primary reason the state took a gamble with a mixed-use model of recreation and preservation rather than putting the entire site off-limits when issues at the Natural Area came to a head 20 years ago.
Fences and signs clearly designate which section is which, yet trespassing has been hard to stop, made worse by the decline in the number of boaters willing to educate and influence other boaters who flaunt the restrictions.
A few of the original boater-influencers remain part of the outreach plan, but they have not been able to replenish their ranks. Boaters who left the group in recent years say an increase in threatening behavior by other boaters is the primary reason.
This week, boaters, conservationists and local officials will meet as the Division of Forests and Lands holds its annual spring meeting to discuss the state of the Natural Area and seek recommendations for keeping the mixed-use management plan viable.
Patrick Hackley, Director and State Forester of the Division of Forests and Lands, says the agency remains short-staffed, but Ranger Tyler Jefferson has the Natural Area on his patrol list for this season. The amount of commitment to patrol efforts will depend on how busy the fire season is.
The public is invited—and encouraged—to attend this week’s meeting. It’s on Friday, May 9, in the Micah Room of Calumet Conference Center in Freedom from 1-2:30 p.m.
One can understand the reluctance of growing a self governing group of boaters dedicated to preserving the restricted area considering the “fly off the handle, self important entitled” who will be verbally abusive and in your face when approached. There’s a growing consensus there’s at least one generation of boaters willing to go down fighting for perceived Rights.
Good luck. “May the fines be with you.” Not you. The guys not reading this.
I am tired and disgusted by those who think they have “license” to do whatever they please and don’t have to honor the rules in place to protect our environment. Thank you Tom Trask for doing your job and in my opinion, fine them for being illegal and disrespectful. No one should be intimidated for doing the right thing, like all the previous “boaters-influencers” were doing . A bully caves when confronted by courage.
I’m of the 1973-2014 generation of Ossipee Lake home owners and support any and all protections for Long Sands / Big Pine. Even in the “wild west” days (1970s-80s), that beach was heavily used yet PRISTINE. Everyone recognized the beauty of the area and cleaned up after themselves. Seems like things took a turn after the public boat launch allowed every dope with a pontoon boat and a cooler of PBR to violate the beach. Owners vs. renters.
How about North Woods Law: Ossipee Lake Edition? Post a warden there all season. It’ll pay for itself after 1 month of fines. I’d pay $1000 to see video of that “ballistic moron”.
God bless Ossipee Lake and the generations of home owners and campers (we enjoyed 2 seasons at Totem Pole before buying on Leavitt Bay) that have made the lake… another family member, really. Can’t imagine my life without the memories.