Small step toward restoring brook trout habitat -- Thank you Conservation Law Foundation and Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC). Update courtesy Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce: H. 526 - Shorelands Permitting: A highly controversial piece of legislation from its inception, the shorelands permitting bill passed both chambers and will become effective July 1 of this year. After its introduction last session, a group of legislators went on a shorelands roadshow around the state to hold public hearings on the issue of shoreland permitting. One of the key concerns presented by the public was whether the Agency of Natural Resources would be given broad rulemaking authority, a possibility that left many landowners concerned about uncertainty and changing rules. Based on these concerns, the Senate Natural Resource Committees version of H. 586 included all standards for the shorelands permitting regime directly in the bill. Though that aspect was a source of contention during the conference committee, the final version of the bill does specify the exact standards that will govern shoreland development. Essentially, the bill designates a protected shoreland area within 250 feet of the water level of any lake greater than 10 acres and requires a permit or registration before clearing land within that area, with a general prohibition on clearing land within 100 feet of the water. Parcels in existence prior to July 1, 2014 are grandfathered unless, or until, the landowners want to expand. Within 100 feet of the water, property owners will not be allowed to clear any area, including trimming shrubbery less than 3 feet high or raking leaves. The bill also puts in place standards, based on Maines point and grid system, that control how many trees a landowner can cut within the 250 foot protected shoreland area. The Agency of Natural Resources is required under the bill to provide landowners with a citizens guide to the new law.
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 15:17:17 +0000
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