Study committee reviews regional stormwater utility options, emphasizes pilots and funding questions

The Study Committee on Stormwater Management met Aug. 18, 2026, to review the feasibility and benefits of creating regional stormwater utility districts under H.481 (Act 37). Chair Neil Kamman opened the session and placed the June 11 minutes on the consent agenda.

Gianna Petito, who summarized member comments on the July draft, said the submissions clustered around "model design, equity and cost effectiveness, costing methodology, phasing and pilots, and overall report clarity." Members discussed whether regional entities should raise fees, how revenue would be administered, and how pilots could test approaches before statewide adoption.

Several members argued Vermont’s governmental structure complicates county-based solutions; Luce Hillman and others favored watershed-scale approaches to direct investments to where they reduce phosphorus most effectively. Committee members also asked DEC to explore targeted technical assistance and financing options.

DEC staff said straw poll questions would be distributed to members and requested written comments on August 14 additions; DEC will prepare a consolidated draft combining July and August updates for the September meeting. No formal votes or motions were recorded in the transcript summary.