Residents of a Richmond neighborhood received a surprise last August when they were notified by the Department of Environmental Conservation that their area was out of compliance with stormwater regulations. The 3-acre rule, put into effect after Vermont’s 2016 Clean Water Act, requires sites with at least 3 acres of impervious surface to obtain a stormwater permit if they hadn’t done so since 2002.
Paige Kaleita and her neighbors in the Southview development were among those affected by this rule. The Department’s letter warned of potential encumbrances on their properties if they failed to comply, with estimated costs of around $20,000 per household for upgrades. Kaleita expressed frustration that only a few homeowners had to shoulder the financial burden when stormwater pollution is a shared responsibility.
Legislators in the House Committee on Environment and Energy introduced a bill, H.481, to address concerns related to the 3-acre rule. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for compliance with the rule, as well as explore the creation of regional utility districts to manage stormwater compliance.
While some lawmakers believe the rule is a necessary step to reduce phosphorus pollution in Lake Champlain, others feel it is inefficient and disproportionately burdensome. Discussions around the bill have highlighted the need for more equitable and effective solutions to address stormwater pollution issues in Vermont.
As the bill moves to the Senate, the conversation continues on improving the efficiency and fairness of the 3-acre rule, with suggestions to prioritize sites that are directly impacting waterways. The Community News Service, a program involving University of Vermont students and professional editors, is reporting on this issue with the goal of keeping residents informed about developments in their community.
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