I am so glad summer is here. After a long winter and a wet spring, summer is when our lakes come alive. The families, the campers and the lone fishermen join the fish, the birds and the wildlife. All of Wisconsin, it seems, is down on the lake during the summer.

Hopefully, you plan to spend some time there this summer, too. As you are loading up your gear, grabbing the sunscreen and packing the cooler, please don’t forget the most critical thing you’ll need to enjoy the lakes this summer-your voice.

The rules to protect our lakes haven’t been significantly updated since the 1960’s, even though the ways we develop land have changed. This is not about stopping development, as some opponents claim, but it is about doing it right. It is about building in a way that ensures our kids and our grandkids can enjoy our lakes.

If you haven’t had a chance to tell state officials that you want strong protections for our lakes against excessive development, now is the time. And if you’ve already told our officials what you think on this issue, it certainly couldn’t hurt to do it again.

We know the developers are coming out in force to make their voices heard. It’s up to us to show that the vast majority of Wisconsinites want stronger protections for our lakes.

So, please attend one of the hearings that will be held around the state this summer (you can find a schedule of the dates and locations at www.wispirg.org), send comments to the DNR, and most importantly, call your legislators so that they know what you want. You can be sure the developers are telling them.

Then, when you do make it out to the lake, you can be even more confident that by lending your voice to this important debate, you’ve made sure that future generations of Wisconsinites will be able to enjoy the same opportunity.