The Agency of Natural Resources Announces the Opening of the Public Comment Period for Rulemaking on Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules
Public Comments and Public Hearings
The public comment period is now open and the Agency is accepting written public comments. Public hearings are being scheduled around the State for late January and early February.
All information regarding this rulemaking process will be posted to the Vermont Lakes and Ponds Rulemaking webpage: https://dec.vermont.gov/
On this page you will find links to documents, a timeline for rulemaking, information about making a public comment, information about public meeting locations and links to the meetings, as these items become available.
Written Public Comments
For those of you who have been involved in the public comment process in the past, you will notice that we are accepting written comments in a different manner for this rulemaking process. In the past rulemaking and pre-rulemaking efforts, the public has been asked to submit comments via email. While this option is still available, we are asking the public to please submit written comments through this online form. This will allow for more efficient comment review and organization and it will allow us to post the combined comments at the end of the comment period without also posting each commentor’s email address.
Please submit written comments at the following link: https://forms.office.com/g/
Public Hearings
There are two public meetings scheduled for January and February 2026. The meetings will be offered in a hybrid format so that the public may join in person, online over Microsoft Teams, or over the phone.
Sign-up forms are posted to the Lakes and Ponds rulemaking website. Members of the public may sign-up to make a verbal comment at each public public meeting they wish to attend virtually or in-person. Each speaker will receive 2 minutes to provide a comment. Speakers will be called in the order in which their name appears on the sign-up sheet. There is also an opportunity to sign-up at the meeting.
Comments are accepted verbally or in writing and either type of comment is given equal consideration during the rulemaking process.
Tuesday January 27, 2026 at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Brandon Town Hall, 49 Center Street, Brandon, VT 05733
Online option via Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now or by phone: 802-828-7667, code: 780771711
- To sign-up to provide a verbal comment during the January 27th meeting, please use this form: https://forms.office.com/g/
6UNTcELQft
Wednesday February 4, 2026 at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the VTrans Dill Building, 2178 Airport Rd Unit B, Barre, VT 05641
Online option via Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now or by phone: 1 802-828-7667, code: 684567032
- To To sign-up to provide a verbal comment during the February 4th meeting, please use this form: https://forms.office.com/g/
RqLAjgw216
All public meeting information is posted on the Lakes and Ponds Rulemaking webpage. If additional public meetings are scheduled, we will post on the website and send out a follow-up email.
Thank you for your continued input and participation!
