summary
Introduced
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
In Committee
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to amend multiple provisions regarding the permitting of development in wetlands. The bill would amend the definition of a Class II wetland to provide that a Class II wetland is one that is not a Class I or Class III wetland and is mapped on the Vermont significant wetlands inventory maps or is an unmapped wetland that the Secretary of Natural Resources determines merits protection based on an evaluation of the functions and values. The bill would also amend the buffer zone requirements for a Class II wetland by providing that the buffer zone shall be 25 feet for a Class II wetland when the wetland is located in an industrial park, designated center, Tier 1A or Tier 1B area approved by the Land Use Review Board, or in locations meeting the requirements for an interim Act 250 permit exemption. The bill would also exempt from permitting any construction activity location in an unmapped Class II wetland when the wetland is located in an industrial park, designated center, Tier 1A or Tier 1B area approved by the Land Use Review Board, or in locations meeting the H.507 requirements for an interim Act 250 permit exemption. In addition, the bill would extend from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026 the deadline for the Secretary of Natural Resources to amend the Vermont Wetlands Rules to clarify that the goal of wetlands regulation and management in the State is a net gain of wetlands. The bill also would amend the ratio for restoration of adverse effects in a wetland from a ratio of 2:1 restoration to loss to a ratio of 1:1 restoration to loss when the adverse effect occurs in an industrial park, designated center, Tier 1A or Tier 1B area approved by the Land Use Review Board, or in locations meeting the requirements for an interim Act 250 permit exemption. The bill would require the Agency of Natural Resources to publish wetland guidance on the mitigation and compensation sequence contemplated in the Vermont Wetland Rules.
AI Summary
This bill proposes several changes to wetlands regulation in Vermont, focusing on development and permitting requirements. The bill redefines a Class II wetland as one that is not a Class I or Class III wetland and is either mapped on state inventory maps or determined by the Secretary of Natural Resources to merit protection based on its ecological functions and values. It reduces buffer zone requirements to 25 feet for Class II wetlands located in specific areas such as industrial parks, designated centers, or Tier 1A/1B areas approved by the Land Use Review Board. The bill also exempts certain construction activities in unmapped Class II wetlands in these designated areas from permitting requirements. Additionally, it extends the deadline for the Secretary of Natural Resources to amend wetlands rules to July 1, 2026, with a goal of achieving a net gain of wetlands. The bill modifies the restoration ratio for adverse effects in wetlands from 2:1 to 1:1 in specific designated areas and requires the Agency of Natural Resources to publish guidance on wetland mitigation and compensation. These changes aim to balance environmental protection with development opportunities in certain designated areas.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment (on 04/17/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.507 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0507/H-0507%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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