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Laws, Regulations and Rules Pertaining to Water Quality

Table of Contents


Vermont Regulations Pertaining to Water Quality

PDF of Vermont Regulations Pertaining to Water Quality
This pdf may not list all Vermont water resources related regulations.
Visit our Permits page for a list of activities that may require authorization.


Rulemaking

In May 2012, the Vermont Legislature passed Act 138, which transfers certain rulemaking authority from the Water Resources Panel of the Vermont Natural Resources Board to the Agency of Natural Resources. The Agency is now responsible for rulemaking concerning the Vermont Water Quality Standards, Vermont Wetland Rules, Vermont Use of Public Water Rules, Vermont Surface Level Rules and the Vermont Rules Determining Mean Water Levels.  Act 138 also transferred rulemaking authority to the Agency to designate Class I wetlands and Outstanding Resource Waters. These two designation processes provide enhanced protections for significant wetlands and waters.  All of these rules will be administered and applied by the Watershed Management Division in its water-related permits programs.  

As the successor of the Water Resources Panel’s rulemaking functions, the Agency will provide a forum for meaningful citizen involvement in the development of these rules. Act 138 specifically requires that the Agency engage in expanded public participation processes with affected stakeholders and other interested persons during rulemaking.  

Until such time as the Agency develops its own procedures or rules to govern this new rulemaking authority, Act 138 provides that the rules of the Water Resources Panel issued pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §6025(d), as that statute and those rules existed prior to the enactment of Act 138, are deemed rules of the Agency.  Persons wishing to petition the Agency for rulemaking should consult the Panel’s Rule of Procedures for direction on the petition process. 

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Rules

Existing Rules

Recently Adopted Rules

All Terrain Vehicles on Ice-Covered Bodies of Public Water

Approval Letter
Adopting Page
Coversheet
Use of All Terrain Vehicles on Ice-Covered Bodies of Public Water Rules

Snowmobiling on State-Owned Lands

Approval Letter
Adopting Page
Coversheet
Snowmobiling on State-Owned Lands Rules

Use of Public Waters Rules

Approval Letter
Adopting Page
Coversheet
Use of Public Waters Rules

Vermont Water Quality Standards Rule (Chapter 29A) - Effective 11/15/2022

EPA Approval Letter
Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules Approval Memo
Final Adopted Rule

Vermont Stormwater Management Manual Rule - Effective 7/1/2017

Approval Letter
Adopting Page
Coversheet
Vermont Stormwater Management Manual Rule

Vermont Wetland Rules (Chapter 30)

Approval Letter
Adopting Page and Coversheet
Vermont Wetland Rules

Stormwater Permitting Rule (Chapter 22) - Effective 3/15/2019

LCAR Forms
Stormwater Permitting Rule (Ch. 22)

Proposed Rule Changes

 


Petitions and Petition Decisions

Information about Petitions and Petition Decisions has been moved to a new web page.  Please click here to visit the Petitions and Petition Decisions page.


Procedures

MOUs

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