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Rule Details
Rule Number:
18P064
Title:
Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy.
Type:
Standard
Status:
Adopted
Agency:
Agency of Natural Resources
Legal Authority:
10 V.S.A. ยง 1392(d)
Summary:
The Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy was last comprehensively updated in 2005. This rule amendment incorporates the legislative directive that became effective in 2008 making groundwater resources in the State held in trust for the public and creates standardized requirements for ensuring activities permitted by the Agency of Natural Resources will not adversely affect public trust uses of groundwater, including use for drinking water. The amendment also updates the list of Groundwater Enforcement Standards to reflect current numeric guidelines generated by the Vermont Department of Health and clarifies the process for reclassifying groundwater.
Persons Affected:
Those affected by this rule amendment include members of the pubic as consumers of drinking water in the State and as users or beneficiaries of the use of groundwater for other public trust uses, such as fire suppression and farming. Also directly affected are individuals and entities seeking to engage in activities that are permitted by the Agency of Natural Resource and could impact groundwater quality, such as the sub-surface discharge of waste.
Economic Impact:
This rule amendment establishes requirements to protect groundwater resources in the State for public trust uses, such as drinking water and farming, protecting the availability of this natural and economic resource for current and future generations. Individuals and entitles seeking permits for activities that could impact groundwater quality may have increased costs of compliance from more strict requirements, but such increases may be partially mitigated by the standardization of requirements. Additionally, individuals and entitles may benefit from reducing their potential of contaminating their or others' drinking water wells or of impacting other groundwater uses.
