Wetlands

Wetlands are extremely important natural resources, and generally considered the most diverse, productive habitat for Vermont’s flora and fauna. Wetlands include bogs, marshes, fens, swamps and other areas where water is a controlling factor in the development of plant and animal communities. In Vermont, wetlands are often associated with lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, but may also be isolated from any evident connection to surface waters.

Unfortunately, the value of wetland habitat has long been misunderstood, and society has often attempted to “improve” wetlands by draining and filling them. As a result, a substantial portion of Vermont’s wetland resources have been lost over time, and, sadly, hundreds of acres of wetlands continue to be lost annually.

Today, we recognize wetlands as valuable natural resources which provide many important direct and indirect benefits to wildlife, landowners, and society at large. Wetlands store floodwater, reducing the severity of downstream flooding and erosion. Wetlands improve water quality by trapping and filtering sediments and heavy metals. In addition, wetlands provide significant habitat for countless plant and animal species, provide aesthetic beauty, and provide unique recreational opportunities to Vermonters.

Vermont’s wetlands are in need of protection, and VNRC has been working on a multi-year project to identify and protect wetland across Vermont. Vermont’s wetlands receive varying levels of protection depending on the classification of I, II, or III, with Class I receiving the highest level of protection. A default classification of II and III was designated in the early 1990s with the implementation of the Vermont Wetland Rules. However, many of Vermont’s wetlands did not receive the level of protection warranted by the inherent functions and values of the resource.

The Vermont Wetland Rules initially anticipated that the Agency of Natural Resources would conduct this work. However, the Vermont Wetlands Office has been chronically understaffed and underfunded, and has been unable to file petitions to upgrade protection for key wetlands. As a result, VNRC has taken on the State’s role, and is actively working with the Wetlands Office, watershed groups, citizens, conservation commissions, sporting groups, and others to reclassify wetlands.

VNRC successfully fought to reclassify a unique and valuable wetland in Burlington at the confluence of the Winooski River and Lake Champlain near the Burlington Bike path. This wetland, known as the “Northshore” wetland, is now afforded increased protection, including the condition that approval be required to conduct numerous activities within 100 feet of the wetland. As a result of VNRC’s efforts, this special ecological area now receives the protection that it deserves.

More recently, VNRC petitioned the Water Resources Board to reclassify the Lake Bomoseen wetlands in Hubbardton, Vermont to Class I. The Water Resources Board granted VNRC’s petition in 2003. The decision can be viewed at http://www.state.vt.us/wtrboard/decisions/index_2003.htm. However, the Board’s decision was appealed and is currently pending before the Vermont Supreme Court. VNRC has filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of the Board’s decision.

VNRC continues to identify wetlands that should receive a higher level of protection, and will petitions the state of Vermont to reclassify these vital natural resources.