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DEC seeks comments on updates to Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory; local officials flag stormwater repair concerns
Summary
At a June 7 CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee meeting, DEC Wetlands Program Manager Laura Lapierre outlined proposed updates to the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory and Wetland Rules, asked for public comment by July 1, and described an August rule filing and fall public meetings; local officials urged flexibility for stormwater maintenance where wetlands lack defining values.
Laura Lapierre, Wetlands Program Manager at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, on June 7 presented DEC’s proposal to update the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI), generally determine wetland types as Class II, and revise the Vermont Wetland Rules to clarify map update and determination procedures.
The presentation included a request for public comments by July 1 and described the anticipated schedule: a formal rule filing in August, public meetings during August and September, review by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR), and a formal adoption scheduled for February. Lapierre also shared links to DEC resources and an online Wetland Restoration Potential mapping tool in the ANR Atlas.
Local officials raised questions about how the updates would affect municipal stormwater and road runoff projects. Dave Wheeler of South Burlington said some stormwater treatment practices discharge to wetlands that “are not providing any of the defining wetland values,” and expressed concern that the designation can make it difficult to repair eroding outfalls. Wheeler also said that some stormwater ponds and gravel wetlands are providing habitat and other benefits even if they do not meet typical wetland value criteria.
Lapierre advised applicants to contact DEC early to obtain accurate field delineations and to brainstorm ways to minimize impacts. She suggested, for some situations, constructing a smaller stormwater pond paired with elements to restore adjacent wetland areas. “Can the applicant avoid or minimize impacts?” Lapierre said, describing that question as central to DEC’s wetland review and noting DEC’s preference that applicants work within an existing footprint.
Dean Pierce, representing Northwest RPC and speaking about Clean Water Service Provider (CWSP) projects, asked whether projects that treat existing, previously unpermitted municipal runoff would be treated differently when improvements affect a wetland. Lapierre reiterated that avoidance and minimization within existing footprints guides DEC’s review.
DEC provided several online resources and a public comment form and directed attendees to review the proposed changes and mapping tools before the July 1 comment deadline. Lapierre said it would be helpful for committee members to share project examples where maintenance or repair is needed so DEC can consider real-world situations in rule and guidance development.
Next steps: comments are due July 1 via DEC’s online form; the rule will be filed in August, with public meetings in August–September, followed by LCAR review and formal adoption anticipated in February.
