Enforcement

Many advocates believe that in order to improve the quality of Vermont’s environment, we do not necessarily need to impose stricter laws. Rather we must actively enforce that laws that are already on the books. Indeed, VNRC believes that enforcement of Vermont’s environmental laws has been negligible in some circumstances, and inconsistent in many others.

In particular, VNRC has undertaken an effort to investigate enforcement policies and actions that would reduce polluted runoff from large-scale farms, construction projects, and other large developments. VNRC staff members conduct site visits and take water quality samples to ensure that standards are being met. VNRC’s investigation is still under way, and we will issue a report on the state of water quality enforcement in the near future.