The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 10: Conservation and Development

Chapter 041: Regulation of Stream Flow

• Subchapter 001: General Provisions

• § 1001. Purpose

  The Department of Environmental Conservation is created to administer the water conservation policy of this State. It is in the public interest that the waters of the State shall be protected, regulated, and where necessary controlled under the authority of the State. The proper administration of the water resources now and for the future require careful consideration of the interruption of the natural flow of water in our watercourses resulting from the construction of new, and the operation of existing dams, diversion, and other control structures. This subchapter is intended to identify this need, to provide a means for the investigation of the cause and effect of intermittent or diverted flow, and for the consideration of corrective actions required to assure as nearly continuous flow of waters in the natural watercourses as may be possible consistent with reasonable use of riparian rights. (1965, No. 37, § 1; amended 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1987, No. 76, § 18.)

• § 1002. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Artificial regulation of stream flow” means the intermittent or periodic manipulation of water levels and the intermittent or periodic regulation of discharge of water into the stream below the dam.

  (2) “Banks” means that land area immediately adjacent to the bed of the stream, which is essential in maintaining the integrity thereof.

  (3) “Basin” means the third-level, six-digit unit of the hydrologic unit hierarchy as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Federal Standards and Procedures for the National Watershed Boundary Dataset, Chapter 3 of Section A, Book 11. “Basin” is also referred to as “Hydrologic Unit Code 6” or “HUC-6”.

  (4) “Bed” means the maximum area covered by waters of the stream for not less than 15 consecutive days in one year.

  (5) “Berm” means a linear fill of earthen material on or adjacent to the bank of a watercourse that constrains waters from entering a flood hazard area or river corridor, as those terms are defined in subdivisions 752(3) and (11) of this title.

  (6) “Board” means the Natural Resources Board.

  (7) “Capacity” means the maximum volume of water capable of being withdrawn by the water withdrawal system.

  (8) “Cross section” means the entire channel to the top of the banks.

  (9) “Dam” applies to any artificial structure on a stream, or at the outlet of a pond or lake, that is utilized for holding back water by ponding or storage together with any penstock, flume, piping, or other facility for transmitting water downstream to a point of discharge, or for diverting water from the natural watercourse to another point for utilization or storage.

  (10) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Conservation.

  (11) “Existing surface withdrawal” means a surface water withdrawal that exists prior to January 1, 2023.

  (12) “Frequency” means how often water will be withdrawn from a surface water over a period of time.

  (13) “Instream material” means:

  (A) all gradations of sediment from silt to boulders;

  (B) ledge rock; or

  (C) large woody debris in the bed of a watercourse or within the banks of a watercourse.

  (14) “Interbasin transfer” means the conveyance of surface water withdrawn from a basin for use in another basin.

  (15) “Large woody debris” means any piece of wood within a watercourse with a diameter of 10 or more inches and a length of 10 or more feet that is detached from the soil where it grew.

  (16) “Person” means any individual; partnership; company; corporation; association; unincorporated association; joint venture; trust; municipality; the State of Vermont or any agency, department, or subdivision of the State; any federal agency; or any other legal or commercial entity.

  (17) “Rate of withdrawal” means the volume of surface water that is withdrawn over a period of time, as reported in gallons per minute.

  (18) “Reasonable and feasible” means available and capable of being implemented after consideration of cost, existing technology, logistics in light of the overall project purpose, environmental impact, and ability to obtain all necessary approvals for implementation.

  (19) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Natural Resources or the Secretary’s duly authorized representative.

  (20) “Surface water” means all rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and all bodies of surface waters that are contained within, flow through, or border upon the State or any portion of it. “Surface water” does not include the following:

  (A) groundwater as defined in section 1391 of this title;

  (B) artificial waterbodies as defined under section 29A-101(d) of the Vermont Water Quality Standards;

  (C) treatment ponds, lagoons, or wetlands created solely to meet the requirements of a permit issued for a discharge; and

  (D) constructed off-stream farm ponds or other off-stream impoundments that are used for irrigation for farming or watering of livestock.

  (21) “Vermont Water Quality Standards” means the standards adopted pursuant to chapter 47 and subsection 6025(b) of this title.

  (22) “Watercourse” means any perennial stream. “Watercourse” does not include ditches or other constructed channels primarily associated with land drainage or water conveyance through or around private or public infrastructure.

  (23) “Watershed” means a region containing waters that drain into a particular brook, stream, river, or other body of water.

  (24) “Withdrawal” means the intentional diversion from a surface water by pumping, gravity, or other method for the purpose of being used for irrigation, industrial uses, snowmaking, livestock watering, water supply, aquaculture, or other off-stream uses. “Withdrawal” does not include hydroelectric projects that are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Public Utility Commission. “Withdrawal” does not include direct consumption of surface water by livestock. (Added 1965, No. 37, § 2; amended 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 10; 1987, No. 76, § 18; 1997, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 27, 1998; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. Jan. 31, 2005; 2009, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. March 31, 2011; 2011, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 14, 2012; 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1003. Conference; recommendations

  Whenever, in the opinion of the Department, it appears that the artificial regulation of stream flow as maintained by any person threatens the public interest or welfare or an emergency exists or is threatened, the Department may call to conference the owner or owners of the dam causing the artificial regulation and other persons having an interest therein, for the purpose of seeking cooperation in altered regulation to minimize damage to the public interest under the policy of this chapter. As a result of the conference, the Department may require action be taken by the person owning the dam with respect to the release of water as it may consider necessary and proper in the public interest, and shall issue findings of fact developed at the conference. For dams or diversions not licensed under 16 U.S.C. § 800, existing permits may be amended where those permits do not contain conditions with respect to minimum stream flow. For federally licensed facilities, the Secretary may negotiate the modification of stream flow, and if the Secretary’s recommendations are not agreed to, the Secretary may petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for license amendments. (Added 1965, No. 37, § 3; amended 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1987, No. 67, § 11.)

• § 1004. State’s agent

  The Secretary shall be the agent to coordinate the State interest before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in all matters involving water quality and regulation or control of natural stream flow through the use of dams situated on streams within the boundaries of the State, and it shall advise the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the amount of flow considered necessary in each stream under consideration. The Agency of Natural Resources shall be the certifying agency of the State for purposes of Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act and the Secretary’s determinations on these certifications shall be final action by the Secretary appealable to the Environmental Division. The Secretary shall be the agent of the State and shall represent the State’s interest under the provisions of the Federal Power Act, including those that protect State-designated outstanding resource waters. However, the Secretary’s authority shall not infringe upon the powers and duties of the Public Utility Commission or the relations of that Commission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as set forth in the Federal Power Act respecting water used for the development of hydroelectric power or projects incident to the generation of electric energy for public use as part of a public utility system. (Added 1965, No. 37, § 4; amended 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 12; 1987, No. 76, § 18; 1991, No. 81, § 1; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. Jan. 31, 2005.)

• § 1005. Repealed. 1991, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 15, 1997.

• § 1005a. Agency of Natural Resources; hydroelectric escrow fund

  (a) The Secretary of Natural Resources, with the approval of the Secretary of Administration, shall have the authority to enter into one or more written contracts with persons or entities to fund certifications under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act and State reviews and comments on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydroelectric licensing as undertaken by or at the direction of the Agency of Natural Resources as the State’s agent under section 1004 of this title. Funding provided under this section for such studies shall not exceed $300,000.00 in the aggregate in any fiscal year. Such contracts shall establish mutually agreed upon study budgets, provide a means for tracking costs as they are incurred by the Agency in conducting the studies, establish a procedure for rendering periodic billings to the persons or entities contracting with the Agency for the payment of such costs, and provide for an annual accounting of all such expenditures through the annual State budget process. The term of any such contract may not exceed three years. The Agency of Natural Resources may enter into one or more contracts with more than one person or entity providing for payment of such costs through an agent, provided such agent is mutually agreed upon by the participating persons or entities and the Agency.

  (b) All payments made to the Agency under such contracts shall be deposited into a special escrow fund created by the persons or entities with whom the Agency has contracted, to be known as the Hydroelectric Licensing Fund. All unencumbered balances in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall revert to the persons or entities contracted with on a prorated basis. Disbursements from the Fund shall be made to the Agency of Natural Resources to support those programs of the Agency of Natural Resources incurring the costs of conducting the studies. (Added 1997, No. 59, § 39a, eff. June 30, 1997.)

• § 1006. Certification of hydroelectric projects; application process

  (a) As used in this section:

  (1) “Bypass reach” means that area in a waterway between the initial point where water has been diverted through turbines or other mechanical means for the purpose of water-powered generation of electricity and the point at which water is released into the waterway below the turbines or other mechanical means of electricity generation.

  (2) “Conduit” means any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar constructed water conveyance that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

  (3) “Hydroelectric project” means a facility, site, or conduit planned or operated for the generation of water-powered electricity that has a generation capacity of no more than 1 megawatt and does not create a new impoundment.

  (4) “Impoundment” means “riverine impoundment” as defined in the Vermont water quality standards adopted pursuant to chapter 47 and subdivision 6025(d)(3) of this title.

  (b) On or before December 15, 2009, the Agency of Natural Resources, after opportunity for public review and comment, shall adopt by procedure an application process for the certification of hydroelectric projects in Vermont under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act.

  (c) The application process adopted by the Agency of Natural Resources under subsection (b) of this section may include an application form for a federal Clean Water Act Section 401 certification for a hydroelectric project that meets the requirements of the Vermont water pollution control permit rules. The application form may require information addressing:

  (1) a description of the proposed hydroelectric project and the impact of the project on the watershed;

  (2) the preliminary terms and conditions that an applicant shall be subject to if a federal Clean Water Act Section 401 certification is issued for a proposed hydroelectric project; and

  (3) time frames for the Agency of Natural Resources review of and response to an application for a federal Clean Water Act Section 401 certification of a hydroelectric project.

  (d) In adopting the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification application process required by subsection (b) of this section, the Agency may, consistent with its authority to waive certifications under 33 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1), adopt an expedited certification process for:

  (1) hydroelectric projects when data provided by an applicant provide reasonable assurance that the project will comply with the State water quality standards;

  (2) hydroelectric projects utilizing conduits; hydroelectric projects without a bypass reach; and hydroelectric projects with a de minimis bypass reach, as defined by the Agency of Natural Resources; and

  (3) previously certified hydroelectric projects operating in compliance with the terms of a Clean Water Act Section 401 certification as demonstrated by existing administrative, monitoring, reporting, or enforcement data. (Added 2009, No. 54, § 39, eff. June 1, 2009.)

• Subchapter 002: Alteration of Streams

• § 1021. Alteration prohibited; exceptions

  (a) A person shall not change, alter, or modify the course, current, or cross section of any watercourse or of designated outstanding resource waters, within or along the boundaries of this State either by movement, fill, or excavation of ten cubic yards or more of instream material in any year, unless authorized by the Secretary. A person shall not establish or construct a berm in a flood hazard area or river corridor, as those terms are defined in subdivisions 752(3) and (11) of this title, unless permitted by the Secretary or constructed as an emergency protective measure under subsection (b) of this section.

  (b) The requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to emergency protective measures necessary to preserve life or to prevent severe imminent damage to public or private property, or both. The protective measures shall:

  (1) be limited to the minimum amount necessary to remove imminent threats to life or property;

  (2) have prior approval from a member of the municipal legislative body;

  (3) be reported to the Secretary by the legislative body within 24 hours after the onset of the emergency; and

  (4) be implemented in a manner consistent with the general permit adopted under section 1027 of this title regarding stream alteration during emergencies.

  (c) No person shall remove gravel from any watercourse primarily for construction or for sale.

  (d) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this section, a riparian owner may remove up to 50 cubic yards of gravel per year from that portion of a watercourse running through or bordering on the owner’s property, provided:

  (1) the material shall be removed only for the owner’s use on the owner’s property;

  (2) the material removed shall be above the waterline;

  (3) at least 72 hours prior to the removal of 10 cubic yards, or more, the landowner shall notify the Secretary;

  (4) however, if the portion of the watercourse in question has been designated as outstanding resource waters, then the riparian owner may so remove no more than 10 cubic yards of gravel per year, and must notify the Secretary at least 72 hours prior to the removal of any gravel.

  (e) This subchapter does not apply to dams subject to chapter 43 of this title nor to highways or bridges subject to 19 V.S.A. § 10(12).

  (f) This subchapter shall not apply to:

  (1) accepted silvicultural practices, as defined by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, including practices which are in compliance with the Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont, as adopted by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation; or

  (2) a farm that is implementing an approved U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service streambank stabilization project or a streambank stabilization project approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets that is consistent with policies adopted by the Secretary of Natural Resources to reduce fluvial erosion hazards.

  (g) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit, in the normal use of land, the fording of or access to a watercourse by a person with the right or privilege to use the land.

  (h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, recreational mineral prospectors:

  (A) shall not operate suction dredges in any watercourse;

  (B) may operate sluice boxes in any watercourse, provided:

  (i) a request for approval to conduct mineral prospecting shall be filed with and approved by the Secretary; and

  (ii) mineral prospecting shall not be conducted on private land without landowner permission, or on State land without permission from the Secretary.

  (2) Hand panning prospecting techniques shall be exempt from this subchapter. (Added 1965, No. 111, § 1, eff. June 22, 1965; amended 1969, No. 281 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 4; 1997, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 1998; 1999, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. May 29, 2000; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2009, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. March 31, 2011; 2011, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 2013; 2015, No. 64, § 22.)

• § 1022. Application for alteration

  A person proposing to change, alter, or modify the course, current, or cross section of a watercourse shall apply in writing to the Secretary for a permit to do so. The application shall describe the location and purpose of the proposed change and shall be accompanied by the maps and plans and other information the Secretary shall direct. When an application is filed under this section, the Secretary shall proceed in accordance with chapter 170 of this title and the requirements of this subchapter. (Added 1965, No. 111, § 2, eff. June 22, 1965; amended 1969, No. 281 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1979, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 5; 2015, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.)

• § 1023. Investigation, permit

  (a) Upon receipt of an application, the Secretary shall cause an investigation of the proposed change to be made. Prior to making a decision, a written report shall be made by the Secretary concerning the effect of the proposed change on the watercourse. The permit shall be granted, subject to such conditions determined to be warranted, if it appears that the change:

  (1) will not adversely affect the public safety by increasing flood or fluvial erosion hazards;

  (2) will not significantly damage fish life or wildlife;

  (3) will not significantly damage the rights of riparian owners; and

  (4) in case of any waters designated by the Secretary as outstanding resource waters, will not adversely affect the values sought to be protected by designation.

  (b) The reasons for the action taken under this section shall be set forth in writing to the applicant.

  (c) If the local legislative body and planning commission determine in writing by majority vote of each that instream material in a watercourse is threatening life or property, due to increased potential for flooding, and that the removal of instream material is necessary to prevent the threat to life or property, and if a complete permit application has been submitted to the Secretary, requesting authority to remove instream material in the minimum amount necessary to remove threats to life or property, the local legislative body and the planning commission may request an expedited review of the complete permit application by notifying the Secretary and providing copies of their respective decisions. If the Secretary fails to approve or deny the application within 45 calendar days of receipt of notice of the decisions, the application shall be deemed approved and a permit shall be deemed to have been granted. Instream material removed shall be used only for public purposes, and cannot be sold, traded, or bartered. The fact that an application for a permit has been filed under this subsection shall not limit the ability to take emergency measures under subsection 1021(b) of this title. For the purposes of section 1024 of this title, if a permit has been deemed to have been granted under this subsection, that permit shall constitute a decision of the Secretary.

  (d)(1) The Secretary shall conduct training programs or seminars regarding how to conduct stream alteration, water quality review, stormwater discharge, fish and wildlife habitat preservation, and wastewater discharge activities necessary during:

  (A) a state of emergency declared under 20 V.S.A. chapter 1;

  (B) flooding; or

  (C) other emergency conditions that pose an imminent risk to life or a risk of damage to public or private property.

  (2) The Secretary shall make the training programs or seminars available to Agency employees in an Agency division other than the watershed management division, employees of other State and federal agencies, regional planning commission members and employees, municipal officers and employees, and State, municipal, and private contractors.

  (e) The Secretary is authorized to enter into reciprocal mutual aid agreements or compacts with other states to assist the Secretary and the State in addressing watershed, river management, and transportation system issues that arise when a state of emergency is declared under 20 V.S.A. chapter 1. (Added 1965, No. 111, § 3, eff. June 22, 1965; amended 1969, No. 281 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 6; 1999, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 19, 2000; 2011, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 14, 2012; 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 72; 2015, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.)

• § 1024. Appeals

  Appeals of any act or decision of the Secretary under this chapter shall be made in accordance with chapter 220 of this title. (Added 1965, No. 111, § 4, eff. June 22, 1965; amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 236, eff. March 29, 1972; 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1983, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. April 27, 1984; 1987, No. 67, § 7; 1991, No. 81, § 2; 1997, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; 2001, No. 94 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. Jan. 31, 2005.)

• § 1025. Penalty

  (a) A prosecution under this subsection may be commenced in the Superior Court of the county in which the alleged violation occurred. A person who violates a provision of this subchapter may be fined not more than $10,000.00. Each violation may be a separate offense upon commission. In the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance thereof may be deemed a separate offense, starting from the day the violator is served with notice of the violation. The service shall be by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

  (b) For a violation of this subchapter, the Secretary may order restoration, and the responsible party or parties will bear the cost of restoration. Restoration will be under the supervision of the Secretary and will be deemed satisfactory only after receiving the approval of the Secretary. (Added 1965, No. 111, § 5, eff. June 22, 1965; amended 1969, No. 281 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 1975, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 1987, No. 67, § 8.)

• § 1026. Repealed. 1989, No. 98, § 4(b).

• § 1027. Rulemaking; emergency permit

  (a) The Secretary may adopt rules to implement the requirements of this subchapter.

  (b) The Secretary shall adopt rules regarding the permitting of stream alteration activities under this subchapter during a state of emergency declared under 20 V.S.A. chapter 1 or during flooding or other emergency conditions that pose an imminent risk to life or a risk of damage to public or private property. Any rule adopted under this subsection shall comply with National Flood Insurance Program requirements. A rule adopted under this subsection shall include a requirement that an activity receive an individual stream alteration emergency permit or receive coverage under a general stream alteration emergency permit.

  (1) A rule adopted under this subsection shall establish:

  (A) criteria for coverage under an individual permit and criteria for coverage under a general emergency permit;

  (B) criteria for different categories of activities covered under a general emergency permit, including emergency protective measures under subsection 1021(b) of this title;

  (C) requirements for public notification of permitted activities, including notification after initiation or completion of a permitted activity;

  (D) requirements for coordination with State and municipal authorities; and

  (E) requirements that the Secretary document permitted activity, including, at a minimum, requirements for documenting permit terms, documenting permit duration, and documenting the nature of an activity when the rules authorize notification of the Secretary after initiation or completion of the activity.

  (2) A rule adopted under this section may:

  (A) establish reporting requirements for categories of activities;

  (B) authorize an activity that does not require reporting to the Secretary; or

  (C) authorize an activity that requires reporting to the Secretary after initiation or completion of an activity. (Added 2011, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. May 14, 2012.)

• Subchapter 003: Water Withdrawal for Snowmaking

• § 1031. Policy on water withdrawal for snowmaking

  (a) This subchapter is intended to establish a policy for snowmaking that supports and is consistent with section 1001 of this title and with chapter 47 of this title, including the water quality standards.

  (b) This policy established under this subchapter is to:

  (1) assure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the chemical, physical, and biological water quality, including water quantity, necessary to sustain aquatic communities and stream functions;

  (2) help to provide for and enhance the viability of Vermont’s ski industry, which uses certain of the State’s waters for snowmaking;

  (3) permit water withdrawals, diversions, impoundments, and the construction of appurtenant facilities for snowmaking, based on an analysis of the need for water and a consideration of alternatives, consistent with this policy and other applicable laws and rules;

  (4) recognize that existing users of the State’s waters for snowmaking, which may have an adverse effect on water quality, should have time and opportunity to improve water quality. (Added 1995, No. 15, § 1.)

• § 1032. Rulemaking on snowmaking withdrawals

  The Secretary shall adopt rules to determine conservation flow standards for snowmaking, to be used in relevant Agency of Natural Resources regulatory processes governing water withdrawals, diversions, impoundments, and the construction of appurtenant facilities, and to be used in developing positions to be asserted by the Agency in other State regulatory processes governing conservation flows for snowmaking. These rules shall not supersede water quality standards adopted by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 47 of this title. These rules shall achieve the purposes of this subchapter, and shall provide for the periodic review of any decision issued under the rules. All existing water withdrawals, diversions, and impoundments for snowmaking that are permitted at instream flows below the standards shall be reviewed by July 1, 2000. (Added 1995, No. 15, § 1; amended 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. Jan. 31, 2005; 2011, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. May 14, 2012.)

• Subchapter 004: Surface Water Withdrawals and Interbasin Transfers

• § 1041. Policy on surface water withdrawals for off-stream uses other than snowmaking

  (a) This subchapter is intended to establish policy and standards for surface water withdrawals that are consistent with section 1001 of this chapter and chapter 47 of this title, including the Vermont Water Quality Standards.

  (b) The policy established under this subchapter is to:

  (1) assure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the chemical, physical, and biological water quality, including water quantity, necessary to sustain aquatic communities and stream function;

  (2) help to provide for and enhance the viability of those sectors and industries that rely on the use of surface waters and are important to Vermont’s economy;

  (3) permit surface water withdrawals and the construction of appurtenant facilities and related systems for uses other than snowmaking, based on an analysis of the need for water and the consideration of alternatives and consistent with this and related policies and other applicable laws and rules; and

  (4) recognize that existing users of the State’s waters for off-stream uses that may have an adverse effect on water quality should have time and opportunity to improve water quality. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1042. Registration and reporting; exceptions

  (a) Registration. Beginning on January 1, 2023, any person withdrawing 10,000 gallons or more of surface water within a 24-hour period or 150,000 gallons or more of surface water over any 30-day period shall register with the Secretary:

  (1) the location of each withdrawal, including each impacted surface water;

  (2) the frequency and rate of each withdrawal;

  (3) a description of the use or uses of the water to be withdrawn;

  (4) the capacity of the system to be used for the withdrawal; and

  (5) a schedule for the withdrawal.

  (b) Report. Beginning on January 1, 2023, a person that is required to register a surface water withdrawal pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall file an annual report with the Secretary. Reports shall be filed annually by January 15 of the following year. The report shall be made on a form provided by the Secretary and shall include all of the following information:

  (1) the total amount of water withdrawn each month;

  (2) the location of each withdrawal, including each impacted surface water;

  (3) the daily maximum withdrawal for each month;

  (4) the date of daily maximum withdrawal; and

  (5) any other information required by the Secretary.

  (c) Methods of reporting withdrawals. The following methods shall be used to report the amounts of withdrawn surface water required to be reported under subsection (b) of this section:

  (1) For withdrawals of between 10,000 and 50,000 gallons of surface water within a 24-hour period or 150,000 gallons or more of surface water over any 30-day period, the person shall either provide an estimate of total volume withdrawn or provide meter data. The report shall describe how any estimate was calculated.

  (2) For withdrawals of 50,000 gallons or more of surface water within a 24-hour period or 1,500,000 gallons or more of surface water over any 30-day period, the person shall provide meter data or measured data by a technically appropriate method approved by the Secretary.

  (d) Exceptions. The following withdrawals shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (a) or (b) of this section:

  (1) surface water withdrawals for fire suppression or other public emergency response purposes;

  (2) surface water withdrawals required to report under subchapter 3 of this chapter for snowmaking uses;

  (3) surface water withdrawals approved pursuant to chapter 56 of this title on public water supply and the rules adopted thereunder for use as a public drinking water supply;

  (4) surface water withdrawals for irrigation for farming, livestock watering, or other uses for farming, as the term “farming” is defined in 6 V.S.A. § 4802; and

  (5) a surface water withdrawal reported to the Secretary under any project that requires the reporting of substantially similar data. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1043. Permit requirement; program development

  (a) Program development. On or before July 1, 2026, the Secretary shall implement a surface water withdrawal permitting program that is consistent with section 1041 of this subchapter. The program shall be developed to:

  (1) require a permit or other authorization for surface water withdrawals based on potential impacts to surface waters or other factors and establish conditions of operation necessary to protect surface waters and the Vermont Water Quality Standards;

  (2) consider surface water withdrawal registration and reporting information submitted pursuant to section 1042 of this chapter in the establishment of permitting thresholds and other permitting requirements;

  (3) require efficient use and conservation of surface water;

  (4) ensure that withdrawals comply with the Vermont Water Quality Standards;

  (5) establish limitations on withdrawals based on low flow or drought conditions and the development of potential alternatives to meet surface water withdrawal needs in such cases; and

  (6) require assessment of any reasonable and feasible alternatives to proposed withdrawals that may have less of an impact on surface water quality.

  (b) Application. Application for a permit to withdraw surface water under the program established under subsection (a) of this section shall be made on a form provided by the Secretary and shall include the following information:

  (1) the location of each withdrawal, including the identification and type of each impacted surface water;

  (2) a description of the use or uses of the water to be withdrawn;

  (3) a description of the proposed method of water withdrawal;

  (4) the frequency and rate of the withdrawal;

  (5) an estimated schedule for the withdrawal;

  (6) the capacity of the system to be used for the withdrawal;

  (7) the location of the proposed return flow of the withdrawn water and whether the withdrawal is an interbasin transfer;

  (8) an estimate of the volume of water needed for the proposed use or uses;

  (9) a description of the alternative means considered for the proposed uses of water that will have less of an impact on surface water quality; and

  (10) any other information required by the Secretary.

  (c) Permits.

  (1) The Secretary may issue a general permit to authorize certain withdrawal activities.

  (2) The Secretary shall issue a general permit under this chapter for the withdrawal of surface water for State or municipal infrastructure projects. The general permit shall establish a rate and withdrawal volume that only requires notification of the Secretary and does not require Secretary approval prior to withdrawal.

  (3) A permit issued under this subchapter shall be for a period of not longer than 10 years from the date of issuance.

  (d) Exceptions. A permit required under this subchapter shall not be required for:

  (1) surface water withdrawals for fire suppression or other public emergency response purposes; or

  (2) surface water withdrawals for irrigation for farming, livestock watering, or other uses for farming, as the term “farming” is defined in 6 V.S.A. § 4802.

  (e) Existing surface water withdrawals.

  (1) Snowmaking withdrawals. Existing withdrawals approved pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter for snowmaking shall be reviewed pursuant to subdivision (f)(1) of this section.

  (2) Nonsnowmaking withdrawals.

  (A) A permit required under this subchapter shall not be required until July 1, 2030 for an existing surface water withdrawal for nonsnowmaking purposes, provided that:

  (i) the existing surface water withdrawal is both registered and reported to the Secretary pursuant to section 1042 of this title on an annual basis; and

  (ii) no expansion of the existing surface water withdrawal occurs on or after January 1, 2023.

  (B) For purposes of this subdivision (2), an expansion includes an increase in reported surface water withdrawal rate or volume or increase in reported capacity of the system.

  (f) Surface water withdrawals for snowmaking.

  (1) Existing withdrawals. Existing surface water withdrawals for snowmaking purposes that have been reviewed and approved pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter shall not require additional technical review by the Secretary under this subchapter, provided that the approved snowmaking activity is operated in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Secretary’s approval. For such activities, the Secretary may issue a permit under the rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter.

  (2) New withdrawals. Proposed surface water withdrawals for new snowmaking activities that require review pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter shall be reviewed by the Secretary in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to section 1032 of this title. If the Secretary determines that the proposed activity is consistent with those rules, the Secretary shall issue a permit required by section 1043 of this section for that activity.

  (g) Enforcement.

  (1) The Secretary may require a person to obtain a permit under this subchapter when the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, determines that a withdrawal or other action circumvents the requirements of this subchapter.

  (2) If the Secretary finds that a withdrawal subject to this subchapter results in the construction, installation, operation, or maintenance of any facility or condition that results in or can reasonably be expected to result in a violation of the Vermont Water Quality Standards, the Secretary may issue an order establishing reasonable and proper methods and procedures for the control of that activity in order to reduce or eliminate the violation.

  (h) Reservation. Nothing in this subchapter shall be interpreted to supersede, limit, or otherwise effect the Secretary’s authority to take action pursuant to section 1272 of this title or other applicable provision of law or rule. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1044. Interbasin transfers of surface waters

  (a) Review of HUC 6 interbasin transfers. The Secretary shall review any interbasin transfer pursuant to the Vermont Water Quality Standards and other requirements of State law listed in subdivision 1253(h)(1) of this title. This review shall be in addition to any applicable standards and permitting requirements adopted pursuant to subsection 1043(a) of this title.

  (b) Review of other transfers likely to violate Vermont Water Quality Standards. The Secretary may review any other surface water withdrawal that includes the transfer of surface water from one watershed to another watershed under the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if the Secretary determines that the activity is likely to result in a violation of the Vermont Water Quality Standards. The Secretary shall make a determination under this subsection based on a review of information set forth under subsection 1043(b) of this title that is readily available to the Secretary. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1045. Report to General Assembly

  Beginning February 15, 2023 and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Natural Resources, after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, shall submit to the Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committees on Agriculture and Forestry and on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife the data submitted to the Secretary pursuant to subsections 1042(a) and (b) of this title, data submitted as part of a permit required under section 1043 of this title, and the data submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under 6 V.S.A. § 4927. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 1046. Rulemaking

  The Secretary shall adopt rules to implement the requirements of this subchapter. (Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)