| Rule Number: |
16P049 |
| Title: |
Vermont Wetland Rules. |
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Type:
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Standard |
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Status:
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Adopted |
| Agency: |
Agency of Natural Resources
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| 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 Updates to outdated statutory references 3.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 |
| Information for Contact # 1 |
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Level:
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Primary
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| Name: |
Laura Lapierre |
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Agency:
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Agency of Natural Resources
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| Address: |
One National Life Drive, Main 2 |
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| City: |
Montpelier |
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| State: |
VT |
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| Zip: |
05620 |
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| Telephone: |
802-490-6177 |
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| Fax: |
802-828-1544 |
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Email: |
laura.lapierre@vermont.gov
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| Website Address: |
http://dec.vermont.gov/laws
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| Information for Contact # 2 |
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Level:
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Secondary
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| Name: |
Hannah Smith |
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Agency:
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Agency of Natural Resources
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| Address: |
One National Life Drive, Davis 2 |
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| City: |
Montpelier |
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| State: |
VT |
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| Zip: |
05620 |
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| Telephone: |
802-461-8187 |
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| Fax: |
802-828-1544 |
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Email: |
hannah.smith@vermont.gov
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