March 24, 2020
RUTLAND, Vt. – The rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus has temporarily changed our lives in many unexpected ways. Schools have closed, kids are doing distance-learning, school sports and other activities have been canceled, and many parents are now working from home or are off work completely. As a result, many Vermonters have found themselves with time on their hands and a case of cabin fever.
March 24, 2020
MONTPELIER – The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Natural Resources Board have temporarily limited public access to their regional offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency declared by Governor Phil Scott. Staff remain fully available to provide assistance and timely responses to Vermonters questions via phone or email. If a matter requires an in-person meeting, the Agency is asking the public to set up an appointment with regional office staff prior to visiting the office.
March 18, 2020 - Due to the anticipated spread of the COVID-19 virus and the current state of emergency declared by Governor Phil Scott, effective immediately the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will temporarily stop pursuing enforcement action against retailers or redemption centers who fail to redeem beverage containers subject to Vermont’s bottle bill law (10 VSA §1523).
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March 6, 2020 – The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that John and Amy Saar were fined $6,750 for clearing trees and placing fill within a wetland and its 50-ft buffer on their property on Harbor Road in Shelburne.
February 26, 2020 – The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) announced the availability of a new grant program to support businesses engaged in adding value to forest products with costs related to permitting.
The Vermont Value-Added Forest Products Permitting Assistance Grant Program (FPPA Grants) has $30,000 total to award grants ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Funds for this program are State funds allocated by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Scott in Act 83 in 2019.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, in cooperation with the Vermont Land Ethic Partnership, is offering a new “Connecting to Nature Book Club” to encourage discussion about the many ways people who live in Vermont benefit from and interact with Vermont’s bountiful natural resources.
January 27, 2020 - The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) announced the availability of a new incentive program for advanced wood heat systems in commercial and institutional new construction. Qualifying installations will be eligible to receive custom incentives of $1.25 per square foot of heated space, up to $50,000.
January 21, 2020
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded nearly $11 million in water infrastructure financing to fund conservation and restoration projects that will protect and restore Vermont’s water quality. These projects will reduce water pollution and protect water quality by conserving key forests, lakes, rivers, and wetlands throughout the state.
