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Vermont Wetland Program Update

Presented by: Laura Lapierre, Wetlands Program Manager

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Overview

Wetland Map Updates
Vermont Wetland Rules Amendments
Bioassessment
Program Stats
Inquiry Process
Regulatory District Update

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Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI)Update on Notice

Northern Lake Champlain and Connecticut River Basin

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N. Lake Champlain Basin Numbers

3 Counties, 25 Towns

138 locations assessed in the field

11% increase in identified wetland area

58% of all River Corridors are in mapped wetland area

59% of Significant Wetland Natural Communities are in mapped wetland area.

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Connecticut River Basin Numbers

10 Counties, 125 Towns

635 locations assessed in the field

117% increase in identified wetland area

43% of all River Corridors are in mapped wetland area

12% of Significant Natural Communities are in mapped wetland area.

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Statewide VSWI Update

Missisquoi River Basin Wetlands were updated for the VSWI in early 2023. Area updated: 603 square miles.

Winooski, Otter Creek, Little Otter, Lewis Creek, and Pike River completed 2025.

Connecticut River Basin and Norther Lake Champlain Direct on notice.

Remainder of the State completion before 2027.

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Wetland Program Project Specific Map Changes

County	Count of Projects
Addison	21
Bennington	23
Caledonia	30
Chittenden	111
Essex	1
Franklin	88
Grand Isle	19
Lamoille	15
Orange	8
Orleans	11
Rutland	33
Washington	21
Windham	23
Windsor	31

Cities & Towns	Count of Projects
South Burlington	22
Bennington	15
Saint Albans Town	15
Highgate	14
Swanton	13
Williston	13
Essex	12
Hinesburg	12
Enosburgh	10
Burke	9
Lyndon	9

Top 10 Towns

(So far for spring update)

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!! Get Map Alerts Thru The Environmental Notice Bulletin

Go to alerts > configure subscriptions
Select a blank subscription to edit.
Under select Activity type, pick “wetland bulk map update”
Keep email address out of your junk mail

ANR.ENBAdminstrator@vermont.gov

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Flood Safety Act (Act 121, 2024): Net Gain Policy for Vermont Wetland Rules

> 5,000 sqft wetland fill require compensation.
Wetland fill compensated at a 2:1 ratio starting when Rule edit includes it.
Establish other compensation ratios for wetland and buffer.

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Executive Order 06-25: Promoting Housing Construction and Rehabilitation

Issued September 17, 2025

Section III: Environmental Review Streamlining

3.1 Wetland Modification

Establishes “Designated Areas”
No permits required for unmapped Class II wetlands (including wetlands contiguous to mapped wetland)
Buffers to mapped wetlands are reduced to 25 feet

Rule to be amended before implementing directive

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On September 17, 2025, Governor Scott signed an Executive Order 06-25 (EO, or Order) to promote housing construction and rehabilitation in Vermont. This Order compels several steps to be taken by Agencies and Boards of the State of Vermont to support housing by streamlining requirements to which housing projects in Vermont are subject.

Section 3.1 specifies modification to the VWR.

The Department has determined that implementation of the Section 3.1 directives is best implemented through formal amendment to the VWR. Accordingly, certain changes to state wetland permitting under Section 3.1 of the EO are not effective immediately. DEC will initiate rulemaking to amend the VWR in October 2025 with final rule adoption targeted for February 2026. In the interim, the current Vermont Wetland Rules (2023) remain in effect.

Rule edits do not include Act 121 Flood Safety Act requirements. That is still being drafted.

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Proposed Vermont Wetland Rule Section 6.26 Allowed Use (activities in wetland and buffer that don’t need a permit)

Construction of residential housing projects and related required utilities located in designated areas and outside of 25 feet of a mapped wetland area, unless the activities are necessary utilities following Best Management Practices.

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25’

Wetland

Not on Map

Wetland on Map

All Wetland

Proposed Vermont Wetland Rule Change

Bottom Line: Current Rule is VWR 2023 – Wetlands Need Delineation

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Report��- annual losses/gains�- # site visits & tech � assistance�- # permits & enforcement � actions�- mitigation �- comprehensive 5 year � report

CY 2024:

0.8 acre of wetland fill

0.16 acres of wetland enhancement or restoration

In 2024:

- 240 permit decisions

- 273 wetland violation complaints,

24 violations corrected, 3 penalties

- Tech assistance for nearly 1,900 unique project files

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Inquiry Form

Goals of ANROnline form:

Entry automation
Tracking improvements
Faster response

No project file? Make a project review request on ANROnline
Existing project file, need a site visit? Fill out the MSForm

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Krystal T. Sewell – Grand Isle and Franklin Counties

Shannon Morrison – Orleans, Lamoille, and Washington Counties

Lauren Sopher – Essex and Caledonia Counties

Tina Heath – Chittenden County

Julie Follensbee – Orange County

Zapata Courage – Addison and Rutland Counties, and the towns of Landgrove, Rochester, and Stockbridge in Windsor County

Rebecca Chalmers – Bennington, Windham, and Windsor Counties, excluding the towns of Landgrove, Rochester, and Stockbridge in Windsor County

Wetland Districts

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District Wetlands Ecologist’s Year

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Delineation review

Data Entry

Mapping

Guidance Creation

Field Season wrap-up

Site Visit Scheduling

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