Bill > H0005

This bill amends Vermont's land use and development laws to protect working forests and habitat. Key provisions include: - Defining "forest block" and "habitat connector" and establishing criteria for avoiding or minimizing the fragmentation of these areas during development. - Allowing for mitigation of unavoidable fragmentation through preservation of similar forest blocks or habitat connectors, or payment of a mitigation fee. - Requiring the Natural Resources Board to adopt rules governing the mitigation process. - Directing the Secretary of Natural Resources to maintain mapping and resource information to inform Act 250 permitting decisions. - Defining related terms like "forest fragmentation" and "recreational trail" in the context of municipal and regional planning.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2018.1/H.5