Current News

In a unique example of the international cooperation that is at the heart of resource management in the Lake Champlain Basin, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the town of Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge in Québec have worked together to construct a barrier to prevent sea lamprey from moving upstream to spawn on the Morpion Creek, a tributary to the Pike River. The barrier, located adjacent to the municipal office, officially opened on May 15. The town and the USFWS share ownership of the barrier, which physically traps lamprey as they migrate. Non-target species caught in the trap are removed and allowed to pass upstream without harm. The barrier is an alternative to chemical lampricide treatments that are used in other parts of the Basin. USFWS staff currently operate the barrier, while town officials have taken an active role in site maintenance and engaging the public.

Members of the Friends of Morgan Street Wetlands group have received verbal notification that the group’s request to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for funding assistance to acquire and preserve a parcel of land in Bennington was approved. The 140-acre piece of property known as the Morgan Street Wetlands currently provides recreational opportunities for those in the surrounding area, but those opportunities are currently at risk said Bennington’s Planning Director, Daniel Monks. “The land is currently for sale, and while this group currently has an option on the property, the only way we can be sure to preserve the recreational opportunities will be to eventually purchase the property.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new tool today to help communities prepare for, deal with and recover from floods. The Flood Resilience Checklist offers strategies that communities can consider, such as conserving land in flood-prone areas; directing new development to safer areas; and using green infrastructure approaches, such as installing rain gardens, to manage stormwater.

“Flood risk in New England is increasing with climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “We have seen severe impacts from floods across our region, and we must be thinking about how to prepare for the next big storm. Parts of the Mad River Valley have focused on implementing locally specific smart growth techniques when rebuilding after Tropical Storm Irene. These efforts have contributed to this checklist that will help flood-prone communities think through these issues and come up with the solutions that work best for them.”

by Cyrus Patten Campaign for Vermont The Agency of Human Services and the Department for Children and Families have come under fire for recent events including the death of two children at the hands of irresponsible adults – unimaginable tragedies for most of us. But consider the hundreds of children whose lives are being irreparably harmed every day by a combination of poor parenting and a system that is failing to ensure their social-emotional wellbeing.

Vermonters are calling for accountability (though notably missing is the voice of the so-called “advocacy groups” – most of whom depend on money from the Agency of Human Services). With such a ubiquitous call for change, why hasn’t anyone been held accountable?

The Abbey Group has partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to educate students on childhood hunger and the hardship of food insecurity. The effort started in May when all lunch menus featured facts about childhood hunger in Vermont and “Kate,” an illustration of a girl who represents the nearly 25,000 Vermont children who struggle with hunger. As a part of the effort, The Abbey Group hosted canned food drives at over 25 schools around the state and donated $2,500 dollars to the Vermont Foodbank.

“The objective was to promote tolerance and civic responsibility,” said Abbey Underwood, marketing director of The Abbey Group. “We wanted to engage students by giving them the facts and then offering a way to help the cause.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont tax revenues reached their targets for the month and the fiscal year, which ended June 30, but just barely, as the vital personal income tax continued to lag. State revenues have been bailed out the last few months mostly by the corporate and estate taxes. General Fund revenues totaled $124.67 million for June 2014, $.31 million or 0.25 percent ahead of the monthly target. For the fiscal year, General Fund receipts were $1,327.53 million, $2.43 million or 0.18 percent ahead of the cumulative target for the fiscal year. GF revenues were $38.92 million or 3.02 percent ahead of the prior fiscal year (FY 2013). Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding released the preliminary June and fiscal year (FY) 2014 revenue results today for the General, Transportation, and Education Funds.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org The Vermont Agency of Transportation will have to put $100 million worth of bridge, road and rail projects on hold if Congress does not shore up the federal highway trust fund by August 1. In all, 38 projects could be affected. The agency was counting on $195 million from the trust fund this year. Unless Congress transfers $9.7 billion from the General Fund to the federal highway trust fund by the end of the month, all states will be forced to cut projects. The trust fund is running out of money because gas tax revenues have declined; Americans are driving less and using more efficient cars. The national gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon and has not been increased since 1993.

Republicans in the US House and Senate are ideologically opposed to raising the gas tax — or any other tax — to shore up the fund.

Shelburne Country Store in Shelburne, Vermont, will pay a $3,000 civil penalty for failing to inform 721 internet buyers of a security breach of their credit card information. In late 2013, the company’s website was hacked and credit card information stolen. Upon being informed of the breach in January 2014, the company quickly fixed the problem, but did not notify consumers until it was contacted by the Attorney General’s Office.

“At this stage of the game, having seen widely reported data breaches at big retailers like Target and dozens of others, we will not accept the excuse that a business did not know of its obligations to report a breach. ” said Attorney General Sorrell.

Cash Cure, LLC, a Delaware company that provides short-term, high-interest internet loans, will pay almost $78,000 to Vermont consumers and pay the State of Vermont $15,000 to settle claims that the company violated Vermont consumer protection and lending laws. Attorney General William H. Sorrell described the settlement as the fourth in a recent effort to protect Vermonters from predatory lending: “On April 23, 2014, my office announced a sweeping effort to protect consumers from lenders who ignore Vermont’s laws and take advantage of Vermonters in economic distress. We will continue to vigorously pursue illegal lenders who make loans in contravention of our state laws.” Attorney General Sorrell urged consumers to review these tips before taking out a loan.

In the 18 hours since the latest storm hit Tuesday night, GMP crews, accompanied by more 200 additional lineworkers and tree trimmers, have restored power to more than 32,000 customers. Crews worked around the clock to cut trees from lines, set new poles, strung new lines and get power back quickly to customers.

“Fast restoration like this can only be done with a dedicated and highly trained team and advance planning, ” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “We had our crews in place and lined up extra workers in advance of the storm in an effort to respond quickly as soon as outages began. This has allowed us to restore power quickly and also ensure that the public and our crews remain safe.”

The 2014 series A & B bonds are expected to be used to refund outstanding obligations previously issued under a separate single-family indenture and to finance the purchase of mortgage-backed security (MBS) certificates. In conjunction with the refunding of previously issued debt obligations, the mortgage loans and certificates securing the refunded bonds will be transferred to this indenture. As of May 31, 2014, the multiple purpose portfolio consisted of: 63.1% single-family whole loans, 26.7% MBS certificates, and 10.1% multi-family loans. The single-family whole loan portion of the portfolio contains: 43% uninsured (with an 80% LTV or less), 42.6% privately insured (primarily by Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation), and 14.4% federally insured (FHA/RD). Approximately 6.3% of the single-family loans are delinquent (60+ days) and actual losses in the program have been minimal since inception in 2007.

The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is forming a Citizen Advisory Committee to get public input on a proposal to change how trash and recycling is picked up from households in Chittenden County. CSWD has been examining a system called "consolidated collection," whereby the County is divided into trash and recycling collection districts. Each district would be serviced by one hauler, who will be selected based on how they meet specific criteria.

CSWD is investigating introducing consolidated collection to Chittenden County because of its potential to reduce collection costs and the impact of excessive truck traffic on roads and the environment. Largely due to these economic and environmental efficiencies, consolidated collection is the most common form of residential service in the country. However, residents would no longer be able to choose their hauler.