Vermont Business Magazine It’s not every day one gets the chance to weigh in on a multi-million dollar budget. This month, the Clean Water Board is asking Vermonters to do just that. Public ideas and feedback on how to prioritize the $19 million in clean water funds will help the Clean Water Board developthe Clean Water Fund budget for 2020. The easiest way to participate in the conversation is to take the Board’s 9-question survey, available online (https://bit.ly/2KT6YGz) or by mail. The board is accepting comments through July 31st.
There are a number of opportunities to engage in the Clean Water Fund budget process, including Clean Water Conversations, where attendees can learn about budget process and give input on next year’s budget allocations, as well as an additional public comment period.
The Vermont Clean Water Fundwasestablishedin 2015 with the passage of the Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64).The goal of the Clean Water Fund is to assist towns, organizations, and farmers to design, finance and install priority water quality improvement projects that reduce pollution washing into Vermont’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Clean water projects protect public health, help towns become more flood resilient, contribute to Vermont’s growing outdoor recreation opportunities, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and boost Vermont’s economy.
The Fund’s estimated $19 million budget for 2020, based on the Act 73 Water Quality Funding Report, comes from property transfer tax surcharge revenue and capital funds.The Clean Water Board administers this money, developing a clean water budget proposal each year. The Board consists of representatives from the Agency of Administration, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Agency of Natural Resources, and Agency of Transportation. This year, the Board welcomes four members of the public. These new representatives are appointed by the governor.
To find out how you can participate in the Clean Water Fund budget process visithttp://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/cwi/cwf/budget-process
Bioretention and outdoor classroom at Harwood Union Highschool in Duxbury. The result of this project will be the construction of a 1,400 square foot bioretention practice that will mitigate runoff from approximately 0.53 acres of rooftop. Runoff that collects on the roof drains and empties into a pipe system that outlets in Lozelle Brook. The project design features an outdoor classroom for environmental education. Credit: Department of Environmental Conservation