Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Agency of Natural Resources Watershed Management Division 1 National Life Drive, Main 2 Montpelier VT 05620-3522 [phone] 802-828-1535 http://dec.vermont.gov/watershed [fax] 802-828-1544
To preserve, enhance, restore, and conserve Vermont's natural resources, and protect human health, for the benefit of this and future generations.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) hereby provides public notice of draft modifications to the Stream Alteration General Permit that applies to: 1) the movement, fill, or excavation of 10 cubic yards or more of instream materials within the top-ofbank to top-of-bank, cross-sectional limits of perennial streams; 2) activities to construct or maintain a berm in a flood hazard area or river corridor; and 3) in-stream emergency protective measures.
The proposed modifications to the Stream Alteration GP cover the streamlining of design requirements for new and replacement bridges and culverts; allowing the temporary replacement of stream crossings as a next flood protective measure; other minor clarifying language; and changes to the public notice requirements as required by Act 150 (2016). The stream alteration standards for bridges and culverts have not changed from those of the existing General Permit (as specified in the Stream Alteration Rule), rather the proposed language used to define their application would be: a) More straightforward in describing the current practices used to design and authorize new and replacement stream crossings; and b) Accepted by FEMA as a “code and standard” under their Public Assistance Program after a declared flood disaster, which would then assist those Vermont communities complying with the GP in receiving full federal cost share for destroyed stream crossings.
The public is invited to provide written comment on the Stream Alteration GP modifications through the close of business (4:30pm) on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
Written comments on the modified Stream Alteration GP should be emailed to Mike Kline at mike.kline@vermont.gov or mailed to: Mike Kline DEC Rivers Program 1 National Life Drive, Main 2 Montpelier, VT 05620-3522
A public information meeting will be held on Monday, April 3, from 3 to 5 pm, at the ANR Annex located at 190 Junction Road, Berlin VT.
A copy of the modified Stream Alteration GP and related documents may be downloaded from: http://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/public-notices/draft-sagp-2017
Hard copies of the draft General Permit and related documents may be obtained upon request. Requests and questions should be sent to the email above or directed to 802- 490-6155.
