After striking some compromises between environmentalists and property rights advocates, the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee unanimously approved legislation on Friday that would tighten the rules governing shoreland development in Vermont. The bill is scheduled to come before the full Senate next week.
Big picture? The proposed rules are designed to improve water quality by limiting clearing and development on the very edges of Vermont’s lakes and ponds; keeping shorelands more intact would prevent runoff and maintain critical habitat at the water’s edge. Vermont passed some shoreland development rules in the 1970s, but they expired a few years later and were not reinstated. Today, according to the Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont is the only northeastern state without a statewide lakeshore protection rule on the books.
That may be about to change.
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“Snelling acknowledges that the July 1 start date is less than ideal, but
says she’s optimistic that Vermonters want to follow the rules —
Yeah, that’s what VTer’s want… more rules from the state on what they can and can’t do with the property THEY OWN.
I’d encourage all vermonters with shoreline property to go out this week and cut down every tree with 100 feet of the shore. Give the Legislature and the State a big FU
No wonder why Shap said there is no time to reform education spending and property tax reform… too many super important laws that further erode our individual liberties need to be passed.
“I’d encourage all vermonters with shoreline property to go out this week and cut down every tree with 100 feet of the shore.”
Congratulations! You’ve illustrated the mindset that makes this legislation needed ASAP.
The mindset that you can do with the property that you worked for, bought and owned… the property that you are responsible and liable for… is yours to do with as you see fit? Sweet, that’s what I was going for.
This legislation is needed because someone wants to control property that isn’t theirs, that they have no vested interest in, that they didn’t purchase, that they don’t pay taxes on, that they don’t maintain… This legislation is needed because a group of people feel that their opinions mean more then others.
This is ‘feel good’ legislation only. I hope our Senators will read the Editorial in the Addison Independent by Angelo Lynn, and vote ‘NO’ on this Bill. Bring some common sense back to Montpelier !