Source: https://openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/19-VT-a
Timestamp: 2019-06-26 03:43:40
Document Index: 413709299

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1421', '§ 401', '§ 1390', '§ 1422', '§ 901', '§ 1390', '§ 901', '§1001', '§ 401', '§ 1390', '§ 1416', '§ 1390', '§ 24', '§1021', '§ 301', '§ 401', '§ 401', '§1001']

RAPID/Roadmap/19-VT-a
Vermont Water Access and Water Rights Overview (19-VT-a)
In Vermont, any person (developer) may need a water right from an owner of riparian land or other approval from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for projects that use, alter, encroach upon, or withdraw surface or groundwater resources. A developer may need to obtain a Riparian Right-by-Grant, from an owner of riparian land to use surface water which abuts land that the developer does not own. A developer may need to obtain a Stream Alteration Permit from the Vermont Watershed Management Division (WMD) of the ANR for activities that change, alter or modify any water course. A developer may also need a Groundwater Withdrawal Permit from the Vermont Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD) of the ANR if the project withdraws groundwater. In addition, a developer may need an Individual Lake Encroachment Permit from the WMD for a project that creates an encroachment beyond the mean water level of a lake or pond.
In Vermont, the state is the trustee of its navigable waters, lakes, ponds, and groundwater. Protection of Navigable Waters and Shorelands Policy, 10 V.S.A. § 1421; Management of Lakes and Ponds, 29 V.S.A. § 401; Groundwater Protection Policy, 10 V.S.A. § 1390. The ANR is charged with the management and protection of surface and groundwater resources in Vermont in the public interest and for the general welfare. 10 V.S.A. § 1422; Water Resources Management Policy, 10 V.S.A § 901; Groundwater Protection Act, 10 V.S.A. §§ 1390-1410.
If the project abuts surface water, water use is controlled by riparian principles. Surface waters in Vermont are held in public trust and include lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, brooks, reservoirs, and wetlands. 10 V.S.A § 901; Johns v. Stevens, 3 Vt. 308, 315-16 (1830); Surface Water Management Strategy. Riparian rights attach to land through which “a stream of water flows.” Martin v. Bigelow, 2 Aik. 184 (1827); Davis v. Fuller, 12 Vt. 178, 198 (1840). A stream is defined as a “distinct channel…with well-defined banks, cut through the turf, and into the soil by the flowing of the water…” Hawley v. Sheldon, 64 Vt. 491, 493-94 (1892). The ANR has delegated authority to the WMD to protect and maintain the quality of Vermont's surface water resources by regulating activities that take place in or along a streams or encroach on lakes and ponds. 10 V.S.A. §1001-1032; Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022; 10 V.S.A. §§ 401-409.
Groundwater in Vermont is also held in public trust. 10 V.S.A. § 1390. Groundwater is defined by statute as “water below the land surface, including springs.” 10 V.S.A. § 1416(2). A spring is “a place where water by natural forces usually issues from the ground.” Magoon v. Harris, 46 Vt. 264, 269 (1863). The ANR has granted permitting and regulatory authority over groundwater resources to the DWGPD pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §§ 1390-1410 and the Groundwater Withdrawal Reporting and Permitting Requirements, CVR 12-030-020 § 24-101-513.
19-VT-a.1 — Calculate Project Need
The developer will need to contact a water engineer/consultant to calculate the amount of water the project requires (e.g. construction, dust suppression, storage, etc.)
19-VT-a.2 — Identify Source of Water Supply
The developer, with the assistance of a water engineer/consultant, must locate an appropriate water supply source based on the project’s water needs.
19-VT-a.3 — Will the Project Use Surface Water?
A developer may need to obtain a Riparian Right-by-Grant, from an owner of riparian land to use surface water which abuts land that the developer does not own. If the project abuts surface water, water use is controlled by riparian principles. If the developer owns the lands touching the waterway they have satisfied the riparian right to use the water. Chatfield v. Wilson, 31 Vt. 358, 262-63 (1858). If the developer does not own the abutting land they may acquire riparian rights by grant. In Vermont a water right may be reserved by the grantor of riparian land, or may be conveyed in whole or in part separately for use on non-riparian land. Road v. Johnson, 26 Vt. 64, 71 (1853).
Without a clear indication of intent to the contrary, the transferred right is not restricted to any particular use, but rather to the quantity used at the time of the transfer. Adams v. Warner, 23 Vt. 395 (1851). Reasonable use is the only limit to the exercise of a riparian right. Lawrie v. Silsby, 76 Vt. 240, 253 (1904). Reasonable use is defined as the “benefit of each use…balanced against the harm caused to other riparians.” Snow v. Parsons, 28 Vt. 459, 460-64 (1856). However, riparian rights are subject to the public trust and an upstream riparian may not harm the rights of a riparian downstream. Boynton v. Gilman, 53 Vt. 17 (1880).
19-VT-a.4 to 19-VT-a.5 — Will the Project Change, Alter, or Modify a Perennial Stream?
A developer may need to obtain a Stream Alteration Permit from the Vermont Watershed Management Division (WMD) and 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. 10 V.S.A. §1021(a); Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022 § 301(a). For more information, see:
Stream Alteration Permit:
19-VT-a.6 to 19-VT-a.7 — Will the Project Withdraw Groundwater?
If the project withdraws groundwater, the developer may need to comply with groundwater reporting requirements or may need a Groundwater Withdrawal Permit from the Vermont Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD). For more information regarding groundwater considerations, see:
Ground Considerations:
19-VT-a.8 to 19-VT-a.10 — Will the Project Encroach Beyond the Mean Water Level of a Lake or Pond?
The developer may need to obtain a Individual Lake Encroachment Permit from the WMD for any encroachment beyond the mean water level of a lake or pond. 10 V.S.A. § 401. For more information, see:
Lake Encroachment Permit:
Management of Lakes and Ponds, 10 V.S.A. §§ 401-409
Regulation of Stream Flow, 10 V.S.A. §1001-1032
Stream Alteration Rule, CVR 12-030-022
Johns v. Stevens, 3 Vt. 308, 315-16 (1830)
Martin v. Bigelow, 2 Aik. 184 (1827)
Davis v. Fuller, 12 Vt. 178, 198 (1840)
Hawley v. Sheldon, 64 Vt. 491, 493-94 (1892)
State v. Morse, 84 Vt. 387 (1911)
In re Kent Pond, No MLP-03-10, 8 (Vt. Water Res. Bd. 2004)
Magoon v. Harris, 46 Vt. 264, 269 (1863)
Chatfield v. Wilson, 31 Vt. 358, 262-63 (1858)
Lawrie v. Silsby, 76 Vt. 240, 253 (1904)
Snow v. Parsons, 28 Vt. 459, 460-64 (1856)
Boynton v. Gilman, 53 Vt. 17 (1880)
Groundwater Quantity Regulation in Vermont: A Path Forward
The Law of Water: An Introduction of Vermont Water Law
Groundwater Withdrawal Permit
Edit Vermont Watershed Management Division
401 Water Quality Certification - Hydropower Lead 802-828-490-6151 jeffabbazabbacrocker@vermontabbazabbagov Visit Website
Environmental Analyst - Lake Encroachment 802-490-6165 kevinabbazabbaburke@vermontabbazabbagov Visit Website
River Management Engineer - Stream Alteration 802-490-6163 joshabbazabbacarvajal@vermontabbazabbagov Visit Website
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This page was last modified on 11 March 2019, at 09:02.