Gov. Shumlin Signs First-in-the-Nation Prohibition on “Fracking”

VNRC is extremely pleased with today's enactment of a law prohibiting hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” in the state of Vermont. The legislation is a proactive step to keep this dangerous practice out of the Green Mountain State. The soup of chemicals used in fracking threatens groundwater, and other natural resources. Groundwater is the source of drinking water for two-thirds of Vermonters.

Water Activist and Author Maude Barlow Packs the House, Offering Sobering, but Also Hopeful, Messages on Water

Water activist Maude Barlow, speaking in Burlington, recently warned more than 200 Vermonters about the coming global water crisis – and urged them to become active. She painted a worrisome picture of shortages of clean, fresh water for the world’s population, of human suffering, of water refugees and water privatization. She also celebrated the recent U.N. declaration that access to clean water and sanitation is a human right. The event at Main Street Landing was sponsored by Click here to read more and see pictures from the event, which was sponsored by VNRC, the Peace and Justice Center, and the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center.

Groundwater Mapping: Importance and Overview

Vermont remains without a comprehensive map of the state's groundwater resources. That means Vermont has no clear understanding of where this invaluable resource is and, as such, might have difficulty in managing and protecting it for the long-term. In 2008, however, VNRC successfully secured an appropriation from the Legislature to support the Agency of Natural Resources in their effort to begin to map the resources. It was a strong step forward, yet more funding is necessary to finalize this important process and create a comprehensive overview of the state''s underground water resources. A recent article, written by Eric Hanson, Source Protection Specialist with the Vermont Rural Water Association, explains the process of groundwater mapping in a bit more detail

VNRC Celebrates Successful Effort to Help Protect Vermont's Groundwater

For several years VNRC has worked to safeguard the state's groundwater resources – the fresh, cold water that flows beneath our feet – and remove Vermont from its precarious position as one of the last state's in the nation to adequately safeguard this increasingly valuable natural resource. While important steps were taken in the last several years to address this problem, the 2008 legislative session provides Vermont the most important opportunity yet to fill a troubling gap in the state's water law and ensure long-term access to clean, ample supplies of fresh water.

Groundwater Map Examples

Our members often ask to see what a groundwater map looks like. As you can see from the examples posted here, groundwater maps can take many forms and are the result of the combining and filtration (and often analysis) of data, referred to as a derivative map.

VNRC, New Groundwater Law Featured in New York Times

Felicity Barringer of the New York Times highlights VNRC's role in passing the new groundwater law in an article appearing in Thursday's issue. The law is discussed in the context of other groundwater protection efforts across the country, and is examined against the backdrop of the controversial proposal for a commercial water bottling operation in East Montpelier.

Protecting Groundwater: The Case for Filling a Gap in Vermont Water Law

VNRC has identified — and been working to fill — a troubling gap in Vermont’s groundwater use laws. The gap is particularly concerning given the intensifying pressure on water use as a result of increased water scarcity and climate change. It is now more important than ever to close the gap in Vermont’s water use laws so that Vermont's groundwater problems do not become more widespread, and that the state protects its underground drinking water resources for current and future generations.

The Science of Groundwater

To help to understand the science of groundwater protection, VNRC has put together this document outlining the fundamentals of this vital resource. As the source of drinking water for approximately two-thirds of Vermonters, understanding the location, flow and all other elements of the hydrology of groundwater is an important step to a thoughtful response for protecting it. Read all about the science of the fresh water flowing beneath our feet in this comprehensive piece.

Who Owns Vermont's Water?

The idea that the free flow of the seemingly inexhaustible water resources flowing beneath our feet might be an issue in Vermont — that Vermonters’ wells could run dry — has not crossed many people’s minds. Until recently that is, when the Vermont Natural Resources Council identified and began to raise serious questions about a gap in the state’s water laws.

Vermont Groundwater Factsheet

VNRC’s scientific knowledge, expert legal counsel, and full-time presence at the State House, combined with over four decades of experience, enables our staff to initiate real change on issues critical to Vermont – like the future of our water. Here are some interesting facts on groundwater.