Fair organizers tell Agriculture Committee 3‑acre stormwater rule could cost Rutland fair about $3.7 million

Representatives of Vermont fairs told the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry on an underspecified date that new stormwater rules known as the "3‑acre" rule could require roughly $3.7 million in retention and treatment infrastructure at the Rutland-based Vermont State Fair, creating a funding and permitting impasse that could affect multiple county fairs.

"Appreciate the funding that we always get for the stipends and, capital grants. It helps us to continue with our infrastructure," said Jason Secard, a representative of the Orleans County fair, echoing comments from several fair officials who described recent capital projects such as new bathrooms, electrical upgrades and improvements to show rings.

The Vermont State Fair's representative, Robert Condon, told the committee the fair owns about 75 acres of property and has roughly 16.9 acres of impervious surface (roofs, gravel, asphalt). Because Muzzy Brook runs through the property and the brook has been designated an impaired watershed, Condon said state rules would require the fair to capture 100% of stormwater from impervious areas and emphasize retention rather than partial treatment. "Our current price tag is $3,700,000. That is…