Vermont Use of Public Waters Rules

The Use of Public Waters Rules (Rules) govern the aquatic resources management of the public waters of Vermont by the Water Resources Panel of the Vermont Natural Resources Board under 10 V.S.A. §1424. The Rules establish a number of general management rules to protect normal uses on all lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Appendices attached to these Rules are rules of the Water Resources Panel adopted pursuant to the authority of 10 V.S.A. §1424. The Rules also provide guidance for the review of the petitions filed pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §1424 seeking the adoption of rules regulating the use of particular public waters. The Rules attempt to avoid, where possible, and resolve, when necessary, conflicts in the use of public waters in a comprehensive and integrated manner so that the various uses may be enjoyed in a reasonable manner, considering the best interests of both current and future generations of the citizens of the state and insuring that natural resource values of the public waters are fully protected.