Deadline: Nov 03, 2016

Please submit comments to the agency or primary contact person listed below, before the deadline.

Rule Details

Rule Number:

16P049

Title:

Vermont Wetland Rules.

Type:

Standard

Status:

Proposed

Agency:

Agency of Natural Resources

Legal Authority:

10 V.S.A. § 905b(18).

Summary:

Certain administrative updates to the Vermont Wetland Rules are necessary to reflect statutory updates effective since the Rules were last amended in 2010, provide procedural changes necessary to come into conformance with the permit process reform requirements of Act 150 of 2016, and to add four wetlands to the list of Class I wetlands to increase their protections. Changes to the existing rule include: 1. Replacement of references to the Water Resources Panel with references to the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. 2. Updates to outdated statutory references 3. Clarification of notice and comment requirements. 4. A permit amendment process. 5.Descriptions of four new proposed Class I wetlands.

Persons Affected:

Individuals required to obtain an individual wetland permit, or authorization under the general permit. State agencies and departments, particularly the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). Property owners statewide, including business owners (and excluding farmers engaged in farming activities that are exempt under the rules) engaged in activities that impact wetlands or their buffers that are not allowed uses as articulated by the rule. Engineers, designers, consultants, developers, and contractors who design and build structures that may impact a wetland or a wetland buffer. The public at large, with an interest in wetland integrity and water quality.

Economic Impact:

The majority of the changes are administrative in nature and will have no economic impact. In specific instances, the increased length of time required for public noticing, in conformance with Act 150, may increase the amount of time required to issue permits. This may have a nominal economic impact on developers, who may need to extend development schedules to accommodate the notice period. The elimination of the requirement to publish newspaper notice will give a positive economic impact on the Agency. The designation of the four Class I wetlands will protect water quality and flood storage in a state where poor water quality and flooding events have harmed the state economy. The majority of these wetlands are already protected by their landowners - VT Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, and the town of Vernon and no economic impact is anticipated in those areas. In areas owned by other entities, the Class I designation would prevent new structures from being built within the wetlands.

Posting date:

Sep 21,2016

Hearing Information

Information for Hearing # 1

Hearing date:

Top of Form

10-24-2016 6:00 PM   

Bottom of Form

Location:

Agency of Natural Resources Annex Building

Address:

190 Junction Road

City:

Berlin

State:

VT

Zip:

05602

Hearing Notes:

Information for Hearing # 2

Hearing date:

Top of Form

10-25-2016 6:00 PM   

Bottom of Form

Location:

Vernon Town Hall

Address:

567 Governor Hunt Road

City:

Vernon

State:

VT

Zip:

05354

Hearing Notes:

Information for Hearing # 3

Hearing date:

Top of Form

10-27-2016 6:00 PM   

Bottom of Form

Location:

Sylvio O. Conte Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Address:

5396 Route 105

City:

Brunswick

State:

VT

Zip:

05905

Hearing Notes:

Contact Information

Information for Primary Contact

 

PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON - A PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE RULE.

 

Level:

Primary

 

 

Name:

Laura Lapierre

 

 

Agency:

Agency of Natural Resources

 

 

Address:

One National Life Drive, Main 2

 

 

City:

Montpelier

 

 

State:

VT

 

 

Zip:

05620

 

 

Telephone:

802-490-6177

 

 

Fax:

802-828-1544

 

 

Email: 

laura.lapierre@vermont.gov

     

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

 

 

 

Website Address: 

http://dec.vermont.gov/laws

     

 

 

 

Information for Secondary Contact

SECONDARY CONTACT PERSON - A SPECIFIC PERSON FROM WHOM COPIES OF FILINGS MAY BE REQUESTED OR WHO MAY ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FORMS SUBMITTED FOR FILING IF DIFFERENT FROM THE PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON.

Level:

Secondary

 

 

Name:

Hannah Smith

 

 

Agency:

Agency of Natural Resources

 

 

Address:

One National Life Drive, Davis 2

 

 

City:

Montpelier

 

 

State:

VT

 

 

Zip:

05620

 

 

Telephone:

802-461-8187

 

 

Fax:

802-828-1544

 

 

Email: 

hannah.smith@vermont.gov

     

Top of Form

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keyword Information

Keywords:

Wetlands

Vermont Wetland Rules

Water Quality

Class I wetlands

Wetland mitigation

Notice and comment