Panel debates stormwater exemption for Vermont State Fair amid site‑visit planning

The Senate Agriculture Committee on April 23 debated whether to exempt the Vermont State Fair (Rutland) from the three‑acre stormwater management requirement referenced in committee discussion as "12 64 c 7." Counsel presented two drafting options: write a statutory exception distinguishing the Rutland fair from the Champlain Valley Exposition, or add session law stating that, notwithstanding the stormwater requirement, the Rutland fair shall not be required to comply with the three‑acre threshold.

Committee members said the Vermont State Fair is effectively landlocked by private property and that physical constraints could prevent the kinds of on‑site stormwater measures required by the stormwater management manual. Counsel said the offset language offered by the Agency of Natural Resources (attributed to Secretary Moore in committee discussion) would require the fair to implement feasible on‑site management under the manual but would relieve the fair of paying an impact fee or performing off‑site offset projects when physical limits prevent full compliance.

Members noted a site visit was scheduled for the coming Friday to examine the fairgrounds before finalizing language. Committee counsel said compliance could still be costly and estimated total compliance costs could be "millions," though an exact figure was not given in committee discussion. Some members argued for a full exemption if the site visit confirms the physical impossibility of required measures; others warned that reasonable alternatives might be identified (for example, repurposing land now used for rides) and that any proposal should reflect what is feasible on the ground.

Committee members discussed timing for drafting and indicated they preferred to wait for the site visit findings before instructing counsel to prepare final bill language.