By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/SOS/rules/ . The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible.

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802-828-2231).

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10 App. V.S.A. § 7 Bear Management Rule.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 26P025

AGENCY: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board

CONCISE SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments eliminate the consecutive “early” and “late” seasons to create one bear season extending from September 1st through the last day of the regulated deer season. The proposed rule would require the purchase of a bear tag to take a bear during the season, and would allow for the taking of a second bear within specified Wildlife Management Units (WMU) upon Board approval. The rule prohibits the intentional taking of sows with cubs. Additionally, the rule clarifies bear dog permit requirements and makes technical and grammatical corrections.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Hannah Smith, Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier Vermont 05620 Tel: 802-461-8187 Fax: 802-828-1250 E-Mail: hannah.smith@vermont.gov URL: https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board/board-rules .

FOR COPIES: Jaclyn Comeau, Department of Fish and Wildlife, 100 Mineral Street, Suite 302, Springfield, Vermont 05156 Tel: 802-461-5620 Fax: 802-828-1250 E-Mail: jaclyn.comeau@vermont.gov.

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Rules Governing the Activity of Primitive Camping on State Forest and State Park Lands.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 26P026

AGENCY: Agency of Natural Resources; Forests, Parks & Recreation.

CONCISE SUMMARY: The Primitive Camping Rule governs how the public can camp in a primitive manner on state lands, without paying a fee or benefiting from services. The rule was first promulgated in 1993. Over the last 30+ years, primitive camping practices have evolved, creating challenges that the current rule is not equipped to regulate, specifically around rule enforcement, campfires and wildland fire, and jurisdiction of the rule across state lands managed by the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR), Fish & Wildlife (F&W), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). FPR is proposing the following changes to the rule: • Clarifying enforcement options if the rule is violated, focused on authorizing F&W wardens and other law enforcement to issue notices of trespass; • Limiting jurisdiction of the rule to FPR lands as F&W lands are governed by another rule; • Providing additional requirements for building and extinguishing campfires; • Changing the setback from water bodies from 100’ to 200’; • Removing the list of lands from the rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Oliver Pierson, Agency of Natural Resources, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT 05620-3901 Tel: 802-505-3563 E-Mail: oliver.pierson@vermont.gov. URL: https://fpr.vermont.gov/primitive-camping-rule-amendment.

FOR COPIES: Meghan Purvee, Agency of Natural Resources, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT 05620-3901 Tel: 802-279-7870 E-Mail: meghan.purvee@vermont.gov.