Advocacy and Action
Vermont statehouse in Montpelier
The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds maintains a proactive presence with the Vermont Legislature and with the state government to advocate for policies to preserve and protect Vermont’s lakes, ponds, and watersheds.
Our work includes:
- Monitoring the current Vermont legislation and providing current information on the progress of water related bills as they move through the legislative
- Testifying before legislative committees to raise awareness of the issues and challenges affecting our public waters.
- Providing information and advocacy support to our membership.
- Collaboration with the VTDEC to ensure adequate technical guidance and support for all lake associations.
FOVLAP members and interested citizens are encouraged to contact us with questions, or comments regarding issues of importance to lake associations and the protection and management of Vermont’s public waters and their watersheds in the current legislature.
FOVLAP Legislative Updates (our bills post)
Use the legislative home page link below as a starting point to access; House and Senate current calendars, Agendas, Live Streams, Committees and Legislators, Bills and Resolutions, Vermont Laws, and more.
Legislative Home Page
Prior to presenting in front of the legislature:
- Be sure that you have authorization from your lake association to speak on their Anyone wishing to speak on behalf of the Federation must be authorized to do so by the Federation President and Executive Committee.
- All submitted materials and in person presentations become part of the public record in perpetuity.
Related Links:
The House of Representatives livestream
Communicating with your legislators
FOVLAP Archive (past bill tracking)
Giving Testimony
In person/Via Zoom:
- Be prepared and make sure you can time yourself to the time slot given.
- Don’t use a lot of jargon – keep it simple and clear.
- Pictures and examples to illustrate your point are great to transmit your ideas quickly.
- You can submit additional information beyond your testimony if there is more to say.
- In order to get on the legislative committee agenda to speak you need to schedule with the committee assistant (add link). This is done via email with the committee in question.
In writing:
Put the bill number on your submission and as with in person testimony, be brief and clear when indicating your position. Again, pictures and examples are great ways to communicate quickly.
When calling:
Communication via telephone with the legislature can be challenging. You can call and leave a message as a starting point, however sending an email or letter to explain your position or to set up a call or meeting works better.
ANY TESTIMONY OR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE BECOMES PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD, INCLUDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION (name, email, address). Testimony (either via Zoom or in person) is recorded and also becomes part of the public record.