The Clean Water Fund was established in June 2015 when Governor Shumlin signed into law Act 64, the Vermont Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Fund supports municipalities, farmers, and others in making needed investments in priority projects to improve water quality in Vermont’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The challenge now facing the state is to identify a long-term funding solution for the Clean Water Fund.
2017 Act 73 Working Group on Water Quality Funding
During the 2017 session, the Legislature established a six-member Working Group on Water Quality Funding pursuant to Section 26 of Act 73. This working group, chaired by the Secretary of Natural Resources, is tasked with evaluating existing sources of funding and drafting legislation “to establish equitable and effective long-term funding methods to support clean water efforts in Vermont.” An advisory council was also established to provide assistance to the working group. Recommendations are due to the General Assembly on or before November 15, 2017.
The public is encouraged to attend working group and advisory council meetings. For more information and a schedule of upcoming meetings, contact Rebecca Ellis, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation at Rebecca.Ellis@vermont.gov or 802-828-1556. Past agendas, minutes, and handouts are linked below.
Clean Water Funding Report
In accordance with Act 64, the Office of the State Treasurer, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Taxes and other state agencies, submitted a report to the State Legislature in early January 2017, recommending how to fund water quality improvements in Vermont.
- Office of the State Treasurer Clean Water Report - January 15, 2017
- Clean Water Report Appendix A-C
- Clean Water Report Appendix D (Public Comment)
Resources
- Estimated Statewide Clean Water Improvement Cost, Revenue, and Gap (FINAL updated March 10, 2017)
- Investing in Clean Water Factsheet (November 14, 2016)
- The Cost of Clean Water Factsheet
- Value of Clean Water Factsheet
- Act 64 Excerpt on Investing in Clean Water Legislative Report
- Act 64 (full text)
- Act 97 (2014) Legislative Report: The Vermont Clean Water Initiative Report
- Act 138 (2013) Legislative Report: Water Quality Remediation, Implementation, and Funding Report
- Process for Development Investing in Clean Water Legislative Report (October 17, 2016)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Revenue Sources and Proposed Evaluation Criteria (October 19, 2016)
- Clean Water Surcharge Factsheet
- Wastewater Costs of Restoring Lake Champlain
November 30, 2016 Clean Water Legislative Briefing Session (View Presentation Slides)
Opportunities for Public Input
A series of stakeholder meetings was held in the spring to assess clean water costs and revenue options. A second round of stakeholder meetings occurred over the fall to gather additional input. A public meeting was then held in mid-November to discuss potential funding sources.
November Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Vermont State House, Room 11, Montpelier
Public Meeting Presentation Slides (updated November 17, 2016)
November Public Comment Period
The Office of the State Treasurer accepted public comments on clean water revenue source options from November 16th through December 1st. A compilation of comments received is now available.
Fall 2016 Stakeholder Meeting Schedule and Materials
- Fall Stakeholder Meetings Schedule
- Fall Stakeholder Meetings Presentation Slides
Business Community
- Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - Agenda
- Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - Agenda
- Friday, September 30, 2016
Municipalities
- Thursday, September 8, 2016 - Agenda
- Thursday, September 20, 2016 - Agenda
- Thursday, October 6, 2016 at Vermont League of Cities and Towns Town Fair
- Thursday, October 20, 2016 - Agenda
Agricultural Community
Non-Governmental Organizations
- Thursday, October 20, 2016 - Agenda
Spring 2016 Stakeholder Meeting Schedule and Materials
- Monday, March 7, 2016 - Agenda
- Wednesday, April 27, 2016 - Agenda
- Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - Agenda
- Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - Agenda
See Resources for materials referenced in latest version of materials referenced in stakeholder meeting agendas.