Maine’s highest court on Thursday heard arguments in a case that could have a big impact on the use of Jet Skis™, Sea Doos™ and other personal watercraft on Maine’s lakes and ponds.

Mark Haskell was summonsed in 2005 for breaking a state law that prohibits personal watercrafts on Lake St. George in the town of Liberty. The case made its way to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

At issue is whether towns have the right – through approval by the state legislature – to ban personal watercrafts on lakes and ponds.

Personal watercrafts, commonly known by the brand names Jet Ski™ and Sea Doo™, are banned on about 60 lakes and ponds in populated areas, and dozens more in unorganized territory controlled by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission.

Those bans could face legal challenges if the court rules for Haskell, a 54-year-old who splits time between Camden and Liberty. A ruling against him would serve to uphold the bans and would be a blow to personal watercraft enthusiasts.