Check out our new logo!
The Vermont Clean Water Initiative is happy to announce a new logo that will be featured on all materials related to water quality and Act 64 - the
Vermont Clean Water Act. The logo represents the three sister agencies, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Agency of Natural Resources, and the Agency of Transportation.
In other news...
Today the Clean Water Fund Board recommended spending a projected $10.4 million to reduce nutrient pollution in Vermont’s waterways. The funds will
be administered by state agencies in 2016 and 2017, once the legislature approves the plan next session. Nutrient pollution carried in runoff can fuel excessive plant and algae growth in Vermont’s waters, such as blue green algae blooms in Lake Champlain.
Over the past few decades, water pollution from runoff and erosion has increased in significance in Vermont and nationwide, and is now a critical concern. The signing of clean water legislation, Act 64 – the Vermont Clean Water Act, in June 2015 by Governor
Shumlin signified a growing public recognition of the state’s water quality problems.
The Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64) created the Clean Water Fund, a dedicated source of clean water funding, from an increase in the property transfer tax. These funds will be used to target priority activities that restore or protect clean water.
The Clean Water Fund Board directs the fund’s use and is comprised of the secretaries of Administration; Agriculture, Food and Markets; Commerce and Community Development; Natural Resources; and Transportation.
Spending recommendations for the Fund’s first two years include (partial list):
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$2,140,000 for municipal stormwater support;
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$1,465,000 for municipal road inventories and improvements;
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$985,000 for grassroots partner support to aid municipalities and farmers;
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$1,750,000 for direct grants to farmers;
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$900,000 for compliance and enforcement of water quality standards on farms by the Agency of Agriculture; and
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$1,150,000 for river channel and floodplain restoration activities to reduce soil erosion and enhance flood resiliency.
If you would like more information about the Clean Water Fund, the Board, or the Allocation Priorities, check out the website:
http://cleanwater.vermont.gov/
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