COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Ted Strickland signed legislation last week that increased the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County from 9.9 to 20 horsepower. The new rule was part of a comprehensive package of boater safety laws that went into effect on June 13.

Pymatuning Lake’s 14,000 acres of water lie mostly within Pennsylvania, but partially within Ohio. Passage of the new horsepower law ensures continued cooperation between the two states in maintaining the uniform safety and enforcement standards laid out in the Pymatuning Lake Compact. Pennsylvania increased the horsepower limit on its portion of the lake several years ago.

State Representative Deborah Newcomb of Conneaut was a sponsor of the new legislation, saying it will benefit not only the safety of boaters on the lake, but also the economy of far northeast Ohio by increasing the amount of tourist dollars flowing into the area.

“Working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, I concluded that raising the horsepower limit was the best way to increase boater safety and enhance enforcement efforts for watercraft officers on the lake,” Newcomb said.

Pymatuning Lake is a feature of Pymatuning State Park, which is located on the western shoreline. The park offers fishing, camping, hiking, swimming and picnicking in northeast Ohio. The 3,500-acre park is home to 60 standard and family cottages and a campground with more than 700 electric and non-electric campsites. More than 440,000 people visited the park in 2007.