Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 12 - AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Sub-Agency 010 - DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE › Chapter 028 - NON-GAME WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT › Section 12 010 028 - NON-GAME WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Current through June,
				2024
TEXT OF RULE
A plan for the management of nongame wildlife species in
				  Vermont includes all members of the animal kingdom: mammals, birds, reptiles,
				  amphibians, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects and other invertebrates, and
				  is limited to species not commonly taken for sport or profit, nor classified as
				  domesticated.
Projects determined in accordance with the plan will be
				  coordinated by the Nongame and Natural Heritage Program and performed by
				  program staff with assistance from other Fish and Wildlife Department staff and
				  cooperating organizations and individuals. Projects may also be performed on a
				  contractual basis with qualified individuals and/or institutions.
The plan comprises five primary objectives:
(1) inventories and status determination of
				species and natural communities,
(2) species, habitat, and natural community
				management,
(3) planning
				assistance and environmental review, and
(4) outreach and education. Determination of
				project priorities will include consideration of species status and degree of
				threat, population and habitat trends, level of knowledge, public interest and
				support, availability of funding, arenas underserved by other institutions, and
				ability to make a difference.
Financial resources for project expenditures will be derived
				  from donations to the Vermont Nongame Wildlife Fund, proceed from sale of
				  vehicle conservation license plates, federal funding sources, the business
				  community, grants, and other sources authorized by the Commissioner of Fish and
				  Wildlife.
(1) Inventories and
				Status Determination of Species and Natural Communities: Inventories of
				Vermont's wildlife and natural communities will be conducted to increase our
				understanding about Vermont's wildlife, their rarity, threats to their
				continued survival, and to help identify other conservation needs. Status will
				be determined for species and natural communities as practicable and the
				expertise of others will be solicited when needed.
(2) Species, Habitat, and Naural Community
				Management: Monitoring and management of populations will proceed if needed
				based on status determination and level of knowledge. Measures to reduce
				threats or enhance numbers in populations experiencing decline will be taken.
				In situations where a comon species is negatively impacting other wildlife or
				humas, population control or management may be attempted. Species may be
				reintroduced when appropriate. Legal protection of nongame species will be
				enforced by law enforcement personnel. Collection of nongame wildlife for
				scientific research, educational purposes, or for the purpose of using them as
				the subjects of art or photography shall be authorized by issuance of a
				Scientific Collection Permit. Other collections or take of nongame wildlife
				shall be authorized by Commissioner letter in addition to a valid Vermont
				Hunting License or Small Game License.
Land in state ownership will be managed using appropriate
				  wildlife and natural community management techniques. Sitespecific management
				  on state lands and on other lands when landowner permission is granted may
				  include placement of predator shields, artificial nesting platforms, and
				  informational signs; controlled burning; vegetation management; and water level
				  stabilization. Wildlife and natural community management will be encouraged
				  through publications and other outreach efforts.
(3) Planning Assistance and Environmental
				Review: Certain critical land and aquatic systems will be protected statewide.
				Protection will be afforded through Act 250 criteria and other legislation,
				land acquisition, purchase of development rights, conservation agreements, and
				the assistance of interested landowners. Aquatic system will be protected
				through current laws and legislation, and acquisition of riparian lands.
				Conservation and other planning will be assisted through appropriate
				information sharing using the Biological Conservation Database (BCD). Caution
				shall be exercised so that revealing site-specific information does not result
				in threats to rare species and necessary habitat or compromise landowner
				privacy interests.
(4) Outreach and
				education: To foster increased respect and appreciation of our natural
				heritage, education and outreach efforts will be directed toward achieving a
				better understanding of Vermont's nongame wildlife, their habitats, and natural
				communities. An Outreach and Education Specialist position will be integrated
				into the Nongame and Nautral Heritage Program and help develop an education and
				outreach strategy. Activities to enhance nongame wildlife education will
				complement other Department and Agency efforts, and those of other conservation
				education groups. Networking with ohter organizations and teachers will be
				emphasized in order to maximize information exchange. Products and activities
				may include, but are not limited to, fact sheets, booklets, slide shows,
				videos, workshops, exhibits, and school programs. Opportunities for nongame
				wildlife education will be created when appropriate on public land. These may
				indlcude, but are not limited to observation areas and walking
				trails.
(5) Small Grants Program. A
				program will be established to fund nongame research in the scientific
				community. Research to be funded may include, but is not limited to, habitat
				requirements of nongame species and identification of population limiting
				factors.
All projects will be reviewed in accordance with the above
				  guidelines.
Statutory Authority:
					 10 V.S.A. §
												4048