Rules

Consistent with the requirements of 10 V.S.A. Chapter 48 it is the purpose of this
rule to protect and manage groundwater resources. This rule provides the
regulatory framework for the withdrawal of more than 57,600 gallons per day of
groundwater for commercial and industrial uses. Additionally, this rule requires
any person who withdraws more than 20,000 gallons per day of groundwater for
certain uses to report that withdrawal to the secretary.

The State of Vermont has established Water Quality Standards as a means of guiding the management of water quality to ensure the use and enjoyment of Vermont's lakes and streams. Typical uses may include fishing, swimming, boating, hydroelectric power generation and waste disposal. When a use such as waste disposal threatens to degrade water quality to the extent that other uses are impaired, a limit must be placed upon the quantity of waste that may be discharged. This limit, referred to as the assimilative capacity, is defined as the maximum quantity of waste the water body can accept, without water quality being degraded below established standards.

These rules are adopted pursuant to the authority of Title 10 V.S.A. Chapter 41,
Subchapter 3. Water Withdrawal for Snowmaking. These rules shall not supersede the water
quality standards adopted by the water resources board pursuant to Title 10 V.S.A. Chapter 47.

This rule has been replaced

Superseded

Superseded

"Mean water level" for purposes of 29 V.S.A. §401 and "normal mean water level" for purposes of 10 V.S.A. §1422(8) shall be referenced to National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), and shall be determined according to these rules.

The Flood Hazard Area and River Corridor Rule regulates development exempt from municipal regulation within designated Flood Hazard Areas and River Corridors. Development exempt from municipal regulation includes state-owned and operated institutions and facilities; accepted agricultural and silvicultural practices; and, power generation, transmission, and telecommunication facilities requiring a Certificate of Public Good from the Public Service Board (30 V.S.A. §§ 248 and 248a; statutes available online at http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/). Permits are intended to ensure compliance with National Flood Insurance Program criteria and that development exempt from municipal regulation within in Flood Hazard Areas and River Corridors is safe and accomplished in a manner that is consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare, and does not impair stream equilibrium, floodplain services, or the river corridor.

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.