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Governor Douglas Signs Stormwater Discharge Law
Burlington, Vt., May 27, 2004--Governor Jim Douglas signed a bill to
resolve a nearly year-old dispute over the permitting program for storm
water.
Governor Douglas said this legislation is a hallmark of bipartisan,
collaborative work toward a solution that embodies the Vermont Way
of balancing economic development with environmental protection.
"This initiative seeks to enable economic development while ensuring that we will have the means to clean up impaired water ways," Douglas said. "I am proud to sign into law H.785, which demonstrates how economic development and environmental protection not only can co-exist, but can strengthen each other."
Members of Douglas' administration, the Water Resources Board effort, and environmental and business groups worked with the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee to craft a comprehensive solution. The committee unanimously championed a bi-partisan solution that authorizes the long-term, water quality remediation plan process envisioned by the Water Resources Board effort, recognizes that the timeframe for achieving water quality standards will vary depending on the watershed, authorizes an interim permitting system that employs offsets and impact fees, and clears title to real estate from encumbrances due to storm water permit issues during the transitional period until 2007.
"I want to especially thank all of the folks from the business community, the environmental community, along with the scientists, engineers, and yes, the lawyers, who worked tirelessly on this great achievement," Douglas said before signing.
Governor Jim Douglas signs into law H.785 Stormwater Discharge as members of the Legislature, Water Resources Board, and environmental and business groups look on.