Montpelier, VT, September 30, 2022 – The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold public hearings in October and November on a proposed rule to adopt edits to the state’s wetland maps.

The DEC has a map which identifies the general location of some protected wetlands (Class I and II) called the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI). From 2020 to 2022, the DEC completed more mapping of wetlands in the northwestern portion of Vermont in the Missisquoi River Basin. The new maps more accurately reflect wetland locations and need to be officially added to the VSWI.

“Wetlands – such as swamps, marshes, and bogs – are found throughout Vermont. They store flood water, protect clean water, and provide homes for wildlife,” said DEC Commissioner John Beling. “By updating these maps, we can help landowners avoid impacts to significant wetlands.” 

From May to July 2022, the DEC received public comments on the updated VSWI. The DEC then reviewed comments and provided a responsiveness summary (bit.ly/3CK5IA0). By late August, the DEC decided to start rulemaking to formally adopt the edits to the VSWI. The Secretary of State placed the rulemaking filing on formal public notice on September 28, 2022.

Members of the public are invited to submit comments by November 12, 2022, to Laura Lapierre at Laura.Lapierre@vermont.gov and attend the upcoming public hearings:

• October 31, 2022, at 5:00 pm: Welcome Center, 51 Depot Square, Suite 100, St. Johnsbury, VT. Register to participate virtually (bit.ly/3UGJDZK).
• November 1, 2022, at 5:00 pm: Damon Hall, 1 Quechee Rd, Hartland VT. Register to participate virtually (bit.ly/3LLBgYJ).
• November 2, 2022, at 5:30 pm: RRPC Conference Room, 3^rd Floor, 67 Merchants Row (Opera House), Rutland, VT. Register to participate virtually (bit.ly/3xSoK40).
• November 4, 2022, at 5:00 pm: 120 First Street, Swanton, VT. Register to participate virtually (bit.ly/3dK6H9h).

“If the State formally adopts the updated wetland maps, we can better protect these special places and their benefits,” said Beling. “However, even with the updates, we know not all protected wetlands will be mapped. You should still contact your District Wetlands Ecologist if you are proposing construction activities near a wetland, whether the wetland is mapped or not.”

Members of the public can find contact information for their District Wetlands Ecologist online (bit.ly/contactwetlands). They can also use the interactive map (bit.ly/draftwetlandmap) to view the updated VSWI.

Landowners can use the DEC’s Wetland Screening Tool (bit.ly/wetlandscreeningtool) to find out if they might have a wetland on their property. Farmers, realtors, non-profits, and towns are also encouraged to use the screening tool when making land management decisions.

Activities within protected wetlands and their 50-foot buffers often require a permit. Any unauthorized activity or construction in a significant wetland prior to its mapping is still a violation of the Wetland Rules (bit.ly/VTwetlandrules).

To learn more, view the rulemaking webpage (bit.ly/wetlandsrulemaking). If Laura Lapierre is not available, contact Julie Follensbee at Julie.Follensbee@vermont.gov or 802-490-6177.

Carolyn Behrendt and Justin Jankus were elected to the Selectboard, Liz Filskov and Paul Garland were elected as school directors. For complete Town Meeting results, click here.

Since 12-25-21 there has been numerous vehicle break-ins in the Town of Proctor.  In all these cases vehicles were un-locked and could have been avoided.  In several cases vehicles were gone through and no property was taken but, in some cases, where valuables such as tools and money were found they were taken.  The individuals responsible have not broken any windows to gain access to any of the vehicles.  However, I have no doubt that if something of significant value was left in plain sight, they might seize that opportunity.  Other Deputies and I are currently investigating and have leads on suspects. 

Like I said we have suspects which are familiar with the Town of Proctor which is most likely why it was targeted but I believe my suspects to be fueling a drug habit, so it is not impossible for them to go to other towns. 

I want all the Towns that we serve to be aware and inform residents to lock up their vehicles and keep valuables in their homes and not their vehicles.  The use of front porch forum, the Towns website,  or social media groups is usually a very helpful tool. 

If your any of your residents have this happen, please encourage them to call RCSD no matter how insignificant they might think it is because in a lot of cases evidence left in snow such as boot prints start to degrade immediately and are time sensitive.  In Proctors cases valuable evidence was lost due to late reporting where cases could have been linked and the same suspects tied to the crime.   In most cases we believe these incidents are happening in the early morning hours between the hours of 2am and 6am.  It is critical that if town residents see something out of place that they report it.  Also encourage town residents with Ring Door cams that they may have crucial evidence placing suspects in your area if these crimes should occur.  

Thank you and have a good new year.

Respectfully, 

Lt. Bennick Lt. James Bennick RC5

Rutland County Sheriff’s Department
88 Grove Street (Po Box 303)
Rutland, VT 05701

Comment period ends November 15, 2021. For more details and a map, visit the Documents page of the website and look under the Green Mt. National Forest heading. Documents – Town of Wallingford, VT | Town of Wallingford, VT – Our Community (wallingfordvt.com)

Zero Sort does not accept styrofoam, plastic bags, food waste, no tyvex or plastic envelopes, no plastic wrapping or CDs, no newspapers that contain paint or pet waste, no plastics, glass or tin with food or other residue (must be rinsed).

For a complete list, visit Transfer Station – Town of Wallingford, VT | Town of Wallingford, VT – Our Community (wallingfordvt.com)