Flood Training

CVRPC is pleased to announce a training opportunity on local flood hazard regulations and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

 When:     Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Time:       4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Where:    CVRPC Office, 29 Main Street, Suite 4, Montpelier, VT

Contact:  Laura Ranker by phone at 802-229-0389  or  by email at ranker@cvregion.com

 Many towns have expressed the need to learn more about the NFIP and how to effectively administer their flood hazard regulations. CVRPC has teamed up with the Agency of Natural Resources Regional Floodplain Managers to present this informative session.  The target audience is the local Floodplain Administrative Officer and the Design Review Board, and others interested.  In many towns, the Floodplain Administrative Officer is also the Zoning Administrator or Town Clerk. Please feel free to share this information with other interested persons in your municipality.

In responding with your participation, please provide a key question or area of need that you have in the administration of your local flood hazard regulations or your understanding of the National Flood Insurance Program.  This information will be used in developing the presentation to cater to those in attendance.  

The presentation will include a hands on exercise: Issuing a local permit.  

Some areas and topics to be presented include: 

• Basics of the NFIP and the Federal/Sate and Local Roles
• Maps, Determinations, Base Flood Elevations, Floodways
• Elevation Certificates, Letter of Map Change
• Applications, Permits (local and state), Board decisions
• Inspections, Compliance

Please RSVP to Laura Ranker at ranker@cvregion.com or by phone at 802-229-0389. We look forward to your participation.

Stormwater Management Advisory Report Issued

Stormwater Management Report Released in Milton
 Summer Natural Resources Planning Intern Makes Recommendations to Town Leadership
 Milton, Vermont

"Unmanaged stormwater threatens Milton's water supply, public infrastructure, private properties, grand list, and recreation and tourism industries," writes Milton's natural resources planning  intern, Gina Clithero, in an advisory report issued to the Town's leadership this week.

With thirteen recommendations, the report prompts Milton's decision makers to manage stormwater and associated pollutants using Green Stormwater Infrastructure practices and Low Impact Development planning principles to shield the Town's taxpayers from the high costs and consequences of inaction.  

Proactively planning for and regulating stormwater reduces  development runoff into Milton's waterways, preventing flooding, reducing erosion, and preserving water quality and wildlife habitat. Unmanaged stormwater can also result in stream impairments, prompting federal and state regulatory intervention for responsible development.  

"As a growing community, Milton can take action now to prevent costlier reactions later," said Planning Director Jacob Hemmerick, "Decision makers, like members of the Town's Infrastructure Standards Committee, are doing just that." 

The Department recognizes and thanks the diverse stakeholders who supported the internship project:

The Milton Selectboard funded this internship and report in partnership with the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein Perennial Internship Program.

Anna Smiles-Becker and Zachary Ispa-Landa served as University of Vermont staff and faculty support for the Rubenstien School Perennial Internship Program.

Town Managers Donna Barlow Casey and Don Turner Jr. implemented the internship in partnership with the Planning and Economic Development Department. Planning Director Jacob Hemmerick, Town Planner Jeff Castle, and Zoning Administrator Amanda Pitts initiated, structured and supported the internship.

The Town’s Consulting Engineer, Ben Heath of Hamlin Consulting engineers, provided insights into Milton’s MS4 Permitting process and facilitated storm water system fieldwork and observation.

Municipal stormwater managers: Jenna Calvi, City of Burlington, Tom Dipietro, City of South Burlington, James Sherrard, Town of Williston, and Karen Adams, Town of Colchester, generously made time for interviews on the municipal stormwater programs they administer.

The Resilient Right of Ways team: Elise Schadler, VT Community Forestry Collaborative, Rebecca Tharp, VT Green Infrastructure Collaborative, Holly Greenleaf, UVM Graduate College Danielle Fitzko, VT Community Forestry Collaborative, and Milly Archer, Vermont League of Cities and Towns provided mentorship and guidance on the content of this report.

The Rivers Program of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation provided a “Rivers and Roads” course, providing practical insights into river hydrology and its interrelationship with road maintenance and construction issues.

The final report is available on the Town's website:  http://miltonvt.org/images/pdffiles/department/planning/Plans_Studies__Reports/2017_Milton_Stormwater_Management_Advisory_Report_Clithero_Gina.pdf

Conservation Commission Summit

Remember to REGISTER for the AVCC SUMMIT - Conservation into the Future: Charting the future of Vermont’s landscape. Sept 23 in Starksboro! Scroll down to see the schedule of workshops and presentations. We’ve got an excellent selection of speakers and workshops and we’ll be conducting our annual election of officers to the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions Board of Directors. Please join us!

We'll be giving the headcount of those that have registered to the caterer in the coming days. Please register now to guarantee your seat (&lunch!)

Information and Registration Here - http://vtconservation.com/conservation_summit/.

Conservation into the Future: Charting the future of Vermont’s landscape

Conservation into the Future is a day-long summit in Starksboro, Vermont to bring together conservation leaders, community volunteers, commissioners, youth, and thought leaders to respond to Vermont’s conservation needs and opportunities. The summit aims to connect and engage practitioners and citizens alike to chart a path forward for Vermont that reduces forest fragmentation, protects our waterways, and explores how to amplify our collective efforts through collaboration, networking, and information sharing.

Featuring a variety of sessions and workshops, Conservation into the Future will focus on exploring the skills, partnerships, science, and technologies that are changing the face of conservation. Sessions include: climate smart conservation, the economics of conservation, planning trails with wildlife and plants in mind, wetlands now and in the future, recruiting and engaging youth for Conservation Commissions, making citizen science and smartphones work for you, the why and how of zoning, strategic planning and prioritization for Conservation Commissions, and BioFinder and the future of Vermont’s landscape.

This year’s keynote speaker, Allan Thompson of Northern Stewards Consulting and Waterbury Conservation Commission, will highlight the strategies and outcomes of innovative partnerships, years of scientific inquiry, and multi-pronged implementation effort to maintain connectivity in the Shutesville Hill collaborative.

More Information:

Registration details and full schedule, workshops, and more can be found at http://vtconservation.com/conservation_summit/.

The summit will take place September 23, 2017 at the Common Ground Center in Starskboro, Vermont. The summit is convened by the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC). For 27 years, AVCC has provided citizen Conservation Commissions with the support and resources they need to protect and enhance the natural resources in their communities while effectively engaging in local and regional governance.

Register by September 1, 2017 to secure your early-bird discount!

Program Schedule

• 8:30 – 9:00am          Registration
• 9:00-9:30am             Welcome and Opening Remarks, AVCC elections.
• 9:30-10:30am           Keynote Address– Allan Thompson, Waterbury Conservation Commission
• 10:45-11:45am         Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)
• 11:45–12:45pm        Lunch & exhibitor space
• 12:45pm–1:45pm    Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)
• 2:00-3:00pm             Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)
• 3:00-3:30pm              Closing – Karen Freeman, AVCC

10:45-11:45am	12:45pm–1:45pm	2:00-3:00pm
Caring for Natural Resources—Taking Action in Your Community (NR2), Monica Przyperhart (Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department) (Participants should pre-register for this training by emailing Monica.przyperhart@Vermont.gov after you’ve registered for the Summit & must attend all three sessions.)
Recruiting and Engaging Youth for Conservation Commissions, Joe Colangelo (Shelburne Town Manager), Kyle Bergeron (Shelburne Natural Resources and Conservation Committee), Asa Richardson-Skinner(Youth member of Montpelier Conservation Commission), Nancy Jones, Chair, Bradford Conservation Commission; Secreatry AVCC Board	Strategic planning and prioritization for Conservation Commissions, Jens Hilke (Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)	Making Citizen Science & Smartphone Technology Work for You, Bridget Butler (Bird Diva Consulting & Cold Hollow to Canada)
Planning Trails with Wildlife and Plants in Mind,Bob Zaino (VT Fish & Wildlife Department)	Wetlands Now and in the Future, Zapata Courage(Department of Environmental Conservation)	BioFinder and the Future of Vermont’s Landscape, Liz Thompson (Vermont Land Trust), Robert Zaino & Jens Hilke (Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
Climate Smart Conservation, Melissa Gaydos(National Wildlife Federation)	Economics of Conservation, Kim Royar (VT Fish & Wildlife Department), & Joe Roman (Gund Institute, University of Vermont)	The Why and How of Zoning Workshop, Kate McCarthy (Vermont Natural Resources Council)

2017 Conservation Summit event page