Public Policy: Environment, Agriculture & Land Use

A healthy environment is essential to a strong economy. VBSR supports:

enforcement of existing environmental laws to protect our natural environment,
wise land use decisions in order to ensure smart growth and to maintain open space, and
development built on a human scale that encourages less-polluting forms of transportation.

Current Action

VBSR continues to promote policy that enhances our economy and our environment. We believe that there are alternatives to the “either/or” perspective about environmental and land use permitting and the development of business, affordable housing, telecommuniciation systems, or development of renewable power sources. We work to make sure that environmental safeguards are not ignored as systems and infrastructure are developed.

Recently we have been exploring opportunities for permitting systems improvements; to increase timeliness and efficiency without compromising environmental standards. We co-sponsored a meeting with the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber to hear from permit applicants as one way to gather information. A meeting summary is now available. We also have compiled the results of a VBSR March 2009 Quick Poll regarding permitting systems which will guide our future policy positions.

Legislative Activity

During the 2009 Legislative Session VBSR testified in support of Act 250 and strong environmental regulation, and in support of efficiency improvements to those permitting systems. VBSR also communicated with legislators about environmental legislative priorities.