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Committee backs CAFO working group, discusses consultant inspections and temporary funding
Summary
The committee reviewed an amendment creating a CAFO permit working group to guide implementation, proposed a third‑party consultant to develop inspection standards and train agencies, and debated a $300,000 FY2027 appropriation and whether consultant support should be limited to an initial two‑year period.
The committee considered an amendment to establish a CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) working group to advise on implementation and transition to a CAFO permitting program. Staff member (S2) told the group the draft would "establish a CAFO working group to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of and transition to the CAFO permit required under section 13 53 in this title." The draft sets membership that includes five livestock farmers recommended by the Speaker, three agricultural technical service providers appointed by the governor, three environmental advocates appointed by the committee on committees, and the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts executive director or designee.
The amendment directs the secretary of natural resources to convene the first meeting on or before Nov. 1 and requires the working group to select co‑chairs—one representing livestock farmers and one from the environmental advocate community. Meetings must be open to the public, may occur at least quarterly, and the group may enter executive session to discuss a specific farm or permit violation. The working group must report to the House committees on agriculture and environment and provide testimony as appropriate.
On implementation, S2 said the secretary of natural resources "shall contract with a third party consultant to assist the secretary in development of standards and procedures to be used by the Agency of Natural Resources and the Agency of Agriculture" and to provide training to agency staff on implementation and inspections. The draft requires a consultant to accompany ANR inspectors on 10 inspections to check compliance with newly developed standards.
Members debated funding and timing. The amendment reads that, in addition to other funds, "the sum of $300,000 is appropriated to the agency from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 for the purpose of contracting with the consultant." Several members and stakeholders argued the consultant engagement and the consultant‑accompanied inspections were intended as a short, front‑loaded effort to build consistency; one participant (S5) recalled "the program is supposed to run for 2 years with the consultant," and asked that the 10 inspections be spread across those two years. Others suggested trimming or removing the appropriation because the budget is constrained and the item is not currently in the companion chamber’s version; alternatives proposed included starting with a smaller one‑time amount or using existing clean‑water funds.
The committee agreed to continue refining the language, consider whether the appropriation should be reduced or removed, and to take up remaining money and amendment questions at the next meeting. The chair (S1) also asked members to review an Act 67 report posted to the committee page and suggested inviting DEC/ANR staff back to present if desired. No formal motion or vote on the amendment occurred during the session.
