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).

NOTE: The four rules below have been promulgated by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board who has requested the notices be combined to facilitate a savings for the agency. When contacting the agency about these rules please note the title and rule number of the proposed rule(s) you are interested in.

10 V.S.A. App. § 122, Fish Management Rule

Vermont Proposed Rule: 25P007

10 V.S.A. App. § 123, Commercial Angling Rule

Vermont Proposed Rule: 25P008

10 V.S.A. App. § 124, Valley Brook-Spawning Waters

Vermont Proposed Rule: 25P009

10 V.S.A. App. § 141, Baitfish Rule

Vermont Proposed Rule: 25P010

AGENCY: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board

The amendments to 10 V.S.A. App. § 122, Fish Management Rule adds Mud Pond to the list of seasonally closed waters, adds a segment of the Deerfield River to the list of Trophy Trout streams, creates and amends various bag limits and requirements for panfish on various water bodies specified within the rule, and amends the list of closed seasonal spawning grounds and extends the closure season for trout spawning grounds.

The amendments to 10 V.S.A. App. § 123, Commercial Angling impose new license requirements for the selling of fish in the State and bans the sale and purchase of black and white crappie caught in Vermont.

Title 10 V.S.A. App. § 124, Valley Brook-Spawning Waters is being repealed as it is outdated. The amendments to 10 V.S.A. App. § 141, Baitfish Rule expand angling opportunities and allow anglers more opportunities to harvest baitfish, by: allowing the use of larger minnow traps; allowing transportation of personally-harvested baitfish between non-restricted waters within the same zone; modifying the requirements for personally harvested baitfish on seasonally closed waters; modifying the use of personally-harvested fish eggs in the same water as harvested, and eliminates the requirements that commercial bait sellers keep carbon copies of receipts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Hannah Smith, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2 Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3208 Tel: 802-461-8187 Fax: 802-828-1250 E-Mail: hannah.smith@vermont.gov URL: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board/board-rules.

FOR COPIES: Eric Palmer, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 1 National Life

Drive, Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3208

Tel: 802-535-7635 Fax: 802-828-1250

E-Mail: eric.palmer@vermont.gov.