Statewide Watershed Basin Planning

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is required by law to prepare and update watershed plans for 17 major watersheds in Vermont.  These plans must inventory the sources of pollution within a watershed, and then craft clean-up goals designed to improve and restore the quality of the water.  While this requirement has been on Vermont’s law books for decades, until recently ANR had failed to update a single basin plan.

Basin plans serve as a guide, consistent with applicable state and federal law, for how various sources of pollution within each basin will be managed in order to achieve compliance with the Vermont Water Quality Standards..  Prior to 1999, state law required ANR to update plans for Vermont’s 17 basins by the year 2000.  In 1999 the law was amended to require that ANR update all plans by 2006.  ANR has responded to this legislative mandate by hiring watershed basin coordinators and starting the process of drafting basin plans around the state.

VNRC is monitoring the basin planning and adoption process to ensure that the plans accurately classify and protect Vermont’s waters.  Currently, the Water Resources Board (WRB) is reviewing the Basin Plan for the White River to determine whether to begin the process of implementing the plan by amending the Vermont Water Quality Standards.  VNRC intends to participate in the WRB’s review of the White River Plan.  In addition, ANR has issued a draft plan for the Poultney/Mettawee Basin.  Plans for four other basins are currently under review.

Go to http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/planning/htm/pl_basins.htm for more information about Basin Plans in your region.