The editorial of Aug. 17, “Kicking the cigarette habit on Maine’s lakes,” brought to the forefront the need for changes in the law concerning the types of watercraft allowed on small ponds and lakes.

The horrific accident on Long Lake is a prime example for the need to ban such high-performance watercraft (like the Sunsation Dominator, a 32-foot, twin engine, ton-and-a-half boat, capable of traveling at speeds of 70+ mph) from small ponds and lakes.

Long Lake is 11 miles long, one-quarter to half-mile wide. Can you imagine this type of boat hurtling down a pond that is only 1.5 miles long and one-third of a mile at its widest? I have been witness to just such activity on a small pond in my area and after repeated phone calls to authorities the problem still exists.

Speed limits are ineffective due to the shortage of wardens to patrol these problem areas. I think the next viable option is to ban these types of watercraft. Another watercraft problem are Jet Skis capable of speeds that are also extremely dangerous on small ponds and lakes.

Why does it always take fatalities to remind us that changes need to be made? Not only is this a concern for human life but it affects wildlife as well, to say nothing of the environmental impact these types of watercraft have on small ponds and lakes.

Linda McConaghy, Poland