Environment (Water Quality) in Vermont

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 679: An act relating to emergency management in flood-prone municipalities

This bill requires the state to provide financial assistance to Vermont municipalities affected by flooding, covering emergency response costs, temporary housing, and infrastructure repairs while waiting for federal reimbursement. It creates two new programs: a Voluntary Buyout Program offering full market value for flood-prone properties and a Homeowner Assistance Program funding elevation, relocation, or flood-resilient rebuilding of homes. The bill also authorizes state agencies to provide technical support and grants for infrastructure upgrades like bridge modifications, culvert improvements, and stormwater management systems in flood-prone areas. These provisions directly benefit local governments and homeowners in communities vulnerable to flooding.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Tags Emergency Management

in committee · Vermont · House Feb 24, 2026

H 632: An act relating to miscellaneous environmental amendments

This bill extends deadlines for environmental assessments and reporting, including pushing the battery end-of-life management assessment deadline to 2027 and shifting responsibility from the Agency of Natural Resources to a battery stewardship organization. It allocates $6.1 million in ARPA funds for the Healthy Homes Initiative to repair water/wastewater systems in low-income households and manufactured housing communities, with strict confidentiality rules for applicant data. The bill also requires permits for stream alterations in watercourses with watersheds over 0.5 square miles and removes stormwater impact fees for properties covered by a three-acre general permit. Additionally, it amends rules for flood safety programs, dam regulations, and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 236: An act relating to authorizing the use of State waters by hydroelectric generation facilities

H 236 authorizes small hydroelectric facilities (with a proposed capacity of five megawatts or less) to use Vermont's Class B(2) waters, which are currently designated for recreation, fishing, irrigation, and public water sources. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to amend Vermont's Water Quality Standards by July 1, 2026, to formally include hydroelectric generation as a "suitable use" for Class B(2) waters. It also prohibits denying such projects before 2026 unless the project would impair water quality. This directly affects small hydroelectric developers seeking to use state waters for power generation. The bill makes a specific classification change to existing water quality rules without creating new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 4, 2025

S 41: An act relating to authorizing the use of State waters by hydroelectric generation facilities

This bill (S 41) amends Vermont's water quality standards to explicitly permit small hydroelectric power facilities (with a capacity of five megawatts or less) to use Class B(2) waters. Class B(2) waters are currently designated for recreation, fishing, agriculture, and public water sources. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to update the water quality standards by July 1, 2026, to include small hydro as a "suitable use" for these waters. It also prohibits denying approval for such facilities on Class B(2) waters without proof that the project would harm water quality. This directly affects small hydroelectric developers seeking to use state waters for power generation.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 5, 2025

H 146: An act relating to administration and enforcement of agricultural water quality requirements in the State

H 146 transfers responsibility for enforcing agricultural water quality rules from Vermont's Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of Natural Resources. It directly affects farms and large livestock operations (CAFOs), requiring them to prevent manure, fertilizers, and other agricultural wastes from polluting waterways. The bill establishes new definitions for "agricultural waste" and "discharge," ensuring regulations align with federal Clean Water Act requirements. This change shifts oversight to the Natural Resources Agency while maintaining existing water quality standards for farms.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 481: An act relating to stormwater management

H.481 requires property owners with impervious surfaces of three or more acres to obtain stormwater permits if their discharge wasn't previously permitted or didn't follow the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual. It sets deadlines for compliance: October 1, 2028 for Lake Champlain/Lake Memphremagog watersheds and October 1, 2038 for other areas. The bill establishes a general permit process, allows municipalities to assume full responsibility for stormwater systems (with owner-approved fees), and permits stormwater impact fees and phosphorus credit trading within watersheds. These changes aim to improve water quality by standardizing stormwater management practices across Vermont.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Vermont · House May 6, 2025

H 86: An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

H 86 proposes to establish the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program within the Agency of Natural Resources. This program would educate, train, and certify commercial and municipal salt applicators on best management practices for applying salt or salt alternatives. The goal is to increase efficiency, reduce the amount of salt used, and prevent chloride from entering state waters. Certified applicators who follow these practices would receive a presumption of compliance with water quality laws and limited liability for certain snow and ice-related damages. The bill also requires the Agency to track salt usage, set reduction targets, and report on chloride impacts.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 6, 2025

H 157: An act relating to Act 250 exemptions and delegation of stormwater permitting

This bill allows qualifying Vermont towns with approved local plans to designate certain areas (Tier 1A and Tier 1B) as exempt from Act 250 land use regulations until December 31, 2029. It also shifts stormwater permitting authority from the state to certified professional engineers, who would design and permit projects themselves under state oversight. Towns meeting specific zoning and planning requirements could use these exemptions for development projects. The state would periodically review engineers' work and could revoke certification if standards aren't met.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Water Quality Land Use Property Development Zoning

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 124: An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

This bill requires Vermont's Agriculture and Natural Resources agencies to coordinate on agricultural water quality programs, including implementing federal Clean Water Act requirements for farms. It establishes mandatory vegetative buffer zones (25 feet from waterways, 10 feet from ditches) for most farms to reduce pollution, with exceptions for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that follow federal rules instead. The bill also sets permit thresholds for new or expanded barns housing large livestock (e.g., 700 dairy cows or 10,000 swine), requiring state review for water quality compliance. Both agencies must annually report on performance metrics related to these programs to legislative committees. The law directly affects farms, particularly large operations, by changing pollution prevention rules and permitting processes.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 453: An act relating to amending stormwater management to facilitate high-density development

This bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to update stormwater management rules to align with recent state land use changes that support higher-density development in walkable neighborhoods. It mandates incorporating existing EPA-approved stormwater management standards - such as off-site treatment and alternatives for high-density areas - into the state's permitting system. The policy directly affects developers and municipalities seeking to build denser housing in designated high-density zones. The changes aim to streamline permitting for projects that meet updated environmental standards without requiring new infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality Land Use Property Development Zoning

All environment bills