MAP's Assessment and Listing Process is driven by Vermont's State Water Quality Standards. In 2022, DEC completed a review and update of the Vermont Water Quality Standards. A triennial review of state water quality standards is required by the federal Clean Water Act. See Triennial Review below for more information.
Current Vermont Water Quality Standards
- 2022 Vermont Water Quality Standards (effective November 15, 2022)
- EPA Approval Letter
Supporting Documents
- Vermont Wetland Rules
- EPA 2013 Aquatic Life Ambient Criteria for Ammonia
- EPA 2021 Revision to the 2016 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criterion for Selenium
- EPA 2018 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum
- Vermont Implementation Procedure for Aluminum
- Vermont Implementation Procedure for Use of the BLM for Copper
Previous Vermont Water Quality Standards
Additonal information on water quality regulations and rules may be found at the Division's Laws, Regulations and Rule page.
2022 Triennial Review
Rulemaking Timeline
- Legislative Committee on Adminstrative Rules (LCAR) - October 6, 2022 Agenda
- Secretary of State Notice of Rulemaking - See 22P009 on the Rules Portal.
- Public Comment Period: May 25 - July 22, 2022
- Public Comment Meeting: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the ANR Annex, 190 Junction Road, Berlin; online via Microsoft Teams; or call 802-828-7667, 152859152# for audio only.
- Submit written comments by email to bethany.sargent@vermont.gov or mail to Watershed Management Division, attn: Bethany Sargent, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 3, Montpelier, VT 05620-3522. The deadline to comment is July 22, 2022.
- Interagency Committee on Adminstrative Rules (ICAR) - May 9, 2022 Agenda
Proposed Water Quality Standards Rule and Supporting Documents
- Final Proposed Vermont Water Quality Standards Rule
- Vermont Wetland Rules
- EPA 2013 Aquatic Life Ambient Criteria for Ammonia
- EPA 2021 Revision to the 2016 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criterion for Selenium
- EPA 2018 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum
- Vermont Implementation Procedure for Aluminum
- Vermont Implementation Procedure for Use of the BLM for Copper
Pre-Rulemaking Stakeholder Outreach
- Summary of DEC's Proposed Changes to VWQS - April 2021
- VWQS Draft with Markup - April 2021
- Revised VWQS Draft with Markup - August 2021