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DEC outlines rebate plan, $40 million ARPA support for 3‑acre permit compliance
Summary
At the Dec. 6 CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee meeting, Meagan Koss of the Vermont DEC described planned fees and a formula-based rebate program for 3‑acre permit applicants, noting $40 million in ARPA funds and a proposed increase in maximum rebates from about $9,000 to as much as $49,000.
Meagan Koss of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation told the Chittenden County Clean Water Advisory Committee on Dec. 6 that the agency is developing a rebate program and fee structure to help applicants comply with the 3‑acre permit.
Koss said existing compliance support includes the Green Schools Initiative, several public–private partnership projects and a new Manufactured Home Communities initiative to fund engineering work. She said the State has $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds available for these efforts that must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
Under the approach Koss described, rebates would be formula-based and currently have a roughly $9,000 cap; DEC staff are discussing raising the maximum to a target of about $49,000 to better cover permit fees plus up to $20,000 for engineering. The rebate would be issued at the full notice-of-intent (NOI) application stage through ANR Online, and DEC plans to allow an "engineer of choice" model for applicants.
Koss also said DEC is developing a process to fund construction for residential projects covered by the 3‑acre permit, with two payments: an initial payment after contract, invoice and permit submittal and a final payment after construction and receipt of an engineer’s certification.
Committee members asked operational questions. Christine Dougherty asked who should apply when there is no homeowners association; Koss said an HOA may be required in some residential cases and that she would follow up with details. Karen Adams asked whether other funding sources besides ARPA are being considered; Koss said she was not aware of other designated funds at the time of the meeting.
Next steps: DEC will continue developing rebate and construction‑funding processes and provide follow‑up on applicant eligibility and any other potential funding sources.
