Source: https://openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/19-VT-h
Timestamp: 2019-06-26 03:49:07
Document Index: 801499693

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 27', '§ 1083', '§1001', '§1001', '§1021', '§ 301', '§ 27', '§ 1083', '§ 1083', '§ 302', '§ 1021', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 1023', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 1023', '§1424', '§ 402', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 1083', '§1421']

In Vermont, a person (developer) may need a Stream Alteration Permit from the Watershed Management Division (WMD) if the project changes, alters, or modifies the course, current, or cross section of any stream or designated outstanding resource waters, within or along the boundaries of Vermont either by movement, fill, or excavation of ten (10) cubic yards or more of instream material in any year. A stream is defined as the full length and width, including the bed and banks, of any watercourse, including rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, and drainage or water conveyance through or around a private or public infrastructure. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-201(42). However, activities regulated under 10 V.S.A. § 1083, do not need a Stream Alteration Permit. Also, note that if a 401 Water Quality Certification is required often times stream alteration protections are conditioned within the 401 Water Quality Certification and an additional Stream Alteration Permit would not be required.
Consistent with the reasonable use of riparian rights, water resources in Vermont are regulated in the public interest to protect the natural flow of surface water. 10 V.S.A. §1001. The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) manages surface water in Vermont. The DEC has granted the WMD authority to regulate stream flow pursuant to Regulation of Stream Flow, 10 V.S.A. §1001-1032 and Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022.
A developer must obtain a Stream Alteration Permit and/or comply with the applicable reporting requirements if the project changes, alters, or modifies the course, current, or cross section of any water-course or designated outstanding resource waters, within or along the boundaries of Vermont either by movement, fill, or excavation of ten (10) cubic yards or more of instream material in any year. Regulation of Stream Flow, 10 V.S.A. §1021(a); Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 301(a). A watercourse is a perennial stream with surface flows that are not frequently or consistently interrupted during normal seasonal low flow periods. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-301(b)(1).
19-VT-h.3 to 19-VT-h.4 — Does an Exemption Apply?
If the project involves a dam, regulated under 10 V.S.A. § 1083, an exemption applies and the developer does not need a stream alteration permit. 10 V.S.A. § 1083; Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 302(4). Other exemptions may apply pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 1021; Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-302.
The developer must determine whether the project is a non-reporting activity, pursuant to Stream Alteration General Permit, § C.2.1.1. – C.2.1.5, to define permitting requirements. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(b)(1). Non-reporting activities that are not located in a designated outstanding resource water, are very low impact activities that meet the requirements of 10 V.S.A. § 1023(a) and the Stream Alteration Rule with a high degree of certainty. Activities that meet these requirements may proceed without a permit, regardless of the watershed size. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(b)(1). A non-reporting activity may be the:
The ford is constructed perpendicular to the stream channel and is properly stabilized with clean stone fill; and
No change in existing channel cross-section and bed elevation except for minor bank grading at the point of the crossing.
Maintenance of existing channelized perennial streams less than 0.5 square miles of watershed size, i.e. those through and around roadsides and agricultural fields, and streams diverted for water supply purposes, provided:
The maintenance work is conducted in a manner which minimizes or avoids turbidity associated with the activity; and
If the work is in association with agricultural lands, vegetated buffers required under the Accepted Agricultural Practices (AAPs), Medium or Large Farm Operation Permits, and/or other applicable rules or permits are maintained;
Erosional channels are appropriately stabilized with vegetative and/or structural treatments;
Excavated sediments to maintain channel capacity are disposed appropriately;
The work does not result in existing surface waters being converted to subsurface flows, and
Project improvements that move toward attainment of the performance standards outlined in Stream Alteration General Permit, § B.3.2, are implemented wherever feasible.
Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(b)(1); Stream Alteration General Permit, § C.2.1..
The developer should contact a River Management Engineer with the Watershed Management Division (WMD) to determine whether their reporting activity qualifies for an expedited permitting process. After considering the risk factors pursuant to Stream Alteration General Permit, § G.10(a) in conjunction with the details about the proposed project, the WMD will determine whether the proposed project qualifies for an expedited permitting process. If the WMD determines that the project does not need to file a formal application, the developer may proceed with the project after receiving written authorization from the WMD, pursuant to Stream Alteration General Permit, § C.2.2.6.
The WMD will issue a Stream Alteration General Permit if the change will not adversely affect public safety, significantly damage fish life, wildlife, or the rights of riparian owners, or adversely affect the value of designated outstanding resource waters pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 1023(a). Outstanding Resource Waters, 10 V.S.A. §1424a; Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 402(a)(1)-(4).
19-VT-h.12 to 19-VT-h.13 — Review Application Materials for Completeness
The Secretary of ANR may require the developer to submit any additional information that the Secretary considers necessary in order to make a decision on the issuance or denial of authorization. The Secretary of ANR may deny authorization under the general permit if the project developer does not provide the requested information to the Secretary within sixty (60) days of the Secretary’s request. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(b)(5).
19-VT-h.14 to 19-VT-h.15 — Publish Notice of the Application
To the owners of the property which abuts or is opposite the land where the alteration is to take place.
Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 §§ 27-506(c)(1), 27-602(c), 27-601(c),(d).
After preparing a draft permit, the WMD must provide notice of the draft within each geographic area to which the permit would apply and must include, at least, all of the following:
Written notice to the clerks of the municipalities in the geographic area covered by the permit;
If the WMD decides to issue a permit over substantial arguments and considerations raised for or against the original proposal, the Secretary of the ANR must include a responsiveness summary with the final permit. The responsiveness summary must include the reasons for the WMD’s decision. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(e).
If the WMD issues a final permit, the Secretary of the ANR must provide notice of the permit’s final adoption and any accompanying responsiveness summary. The WMD must provide notice in at least the same manner as notice of the draft permit was issued, except that the Secretary of the ANR does not need to set or include further deadlines for comment or for requesting an informational meeting. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-503(f).
If the WMD denies a request for a permit authorization, the Secretary of the ANR must notify the developer in writing, stating the reasons for the denial. Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 27-506(d)(5).
14-VT-h.25 — Appeal Decision (If Applicable)
Dams, 10 V.S.A. § 1083
Outstanding Resource Waters, 10 V.S.A. §1421 et seq.
Stream Alteration Permits Website
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