Lake Champlain, Burlington South End. VermontBiz photo.
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s natural beauty is central to our identity — and clean water is at the heart of it. From rising floods to summer droughts, Vermonters are seeing firsthand how water shapes our communities and way of life. As these challenges grow, so does the need for smart, community-driven investment in clean water.
Vermont’s Clean Water Board is seeking public input on the State Fiscal Year 2027 Clean Water Budget by November 16, 2025. Vermonters can weigh in on how they would like to prioritize approximately $45 million in funding for projects to protect and improve our rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, and the services they provide to clean and store our water.
“Clean water is both essential and fragile. We need not look further than the recent series of extreme weather events driven by climate change,” said Agency of Natural Resources Secretary and Clean Water Board member Julie Moore. “Public comment is a critical step in the Board’s annual budget process. We want people to tell the Clean Water Board what matters to them, so we can ensure alignment of these investments.”
The Clean Water Budget provides funding for projects that restore, enhance, and protect Vermont’s water quality. Projects reduce pollution flowing into our waterways, reestablish our natural infrastructure, and enhance our ecosystem and community resilience in the face of extreme weather. Past projects included agricultural and forestry best practices, municipal water and wastewater treatment upgrades, and stormwater management.
The public can provide recommendations on whether the funding levels are sufficient and share their thoughts on budget priorities.
The Clean Water Board welcomes public input on the draft budget between now and November 16, 2025. There are a few ways to participate:
- Attend the public hearing in Montpelier on November 7, 2025, at 10:00 am at National Life, in the Davis Building, or online through Microsoft Teams, and provide a comment. Find more details on the Clean Water Board Meetings Page.
- Send written comment via email to [email protected] with the subject line “Clean Water Budget Comment”. This is the recommended way to comment if you would like to send us a quick note or let us know about clean water challenges that matter to you.
- Complete the SFY 2027 Clean Water Budget Questionnaire. This method of commenting is best suited for anyone more familiar with the Budget and its line-items.
If you need help participating in the public comment period or would like a printed copy of the questionnaire, email [email protected]. Use the subject line “Clean Water Budget Public Comment.”
The Board will review public comments before making its final Clean Water Budget recommendation in December 2025. The State Fiscal Year 2027 begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2027.
Visit the Clean Water Initiative reports webpage and access the Clean Water Interactive Dashboard to learn more about investments in and the results of state-funded clean water projects.
The Clean Water Board’s mission is to build an annual Clean Water Budget recommendation intended to achieve the greatest water quality gain for the investment. The board is comprised of members from the Agencies of Administration, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Food and Markets, Commerce and Community Development, and Transportation; and four public experts appointed by the Governor.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.
10.16.2025. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier, Website.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
