The Forest Integrity Study Committee was established as a result of the legislative charge in Sec.18 of Act 171. The committee studies potential revisions to 10 V.S.A. chapter 151 (Act 250) and to 24 V.S.A. chapter 117, subchapter 7 (bylaws) in order to better protect forests from fragmentation and promote habitat connectivity between forest lands. Meetings are open to the public.
Contact FPR Commissioner Danielle Fitzko with any questions or comments pertaining to meeting material. Search the Vermont General Assembly website to find updates on the status of legislation related to forest health and integrity.
Final report
- Evaluation of potential changes to statewide and local forestland planning and regulation to support forest integrity
Submitted February 9, 2017 to:
The House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife The House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Relevant Legislative Action
Meeting Materials: December 13, 2016
- Meeting Agenda
- Updated Dec. 19, 2016 - Meeting Minutes
- Updated Dec. 12, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Potential Changes to Act 250 and Associated Potential Impacts
- Updated Dec. 12, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Potential Changes to Chatper 117 and Associated Potential Impacts
- Updated Dec. 12, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Other Potential Land Use and Policy Changes
- Updated Dec. 12, 2016 - Public Comment on Potential Changes
- Dec. 9, 2016 - Comment from Stephanie Smith, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Meeting Materials: November 18, 2016
- Meeting Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- Forest Roundtable Input on Act 171 - Nov. 3, 2016
- Updated Dec. 8, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Potential Changes to Act 250 and Associated Potential Impacts
- Updated Dec. 1, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Potential Changes to Chatper 117 and Associated Potential Impacts
- Updated Dec. 1, 2016 - DRAFT Tables of Other Potential Land Use and Policy Changes
- Updated Nov. 29, 2016 - Public Comment on Potential Changes
Meeting Materials: October 18, 2016
- Meeting Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- Added Dec. 19, 2016 - Letter of Public Comment from the Two Rivers - Ottauquechee Regional Commission
Meeting Materials: September 13, 2016
Meeting Materials: August 18, 2016
Presentation #1: Vermont Forests: History, Functions, and Landscape Planning
John Austin, Lands and Habitat Program Manager, Department of Fish & Wildlife Eric Sorenson, Natural Communities Ecologist, Department of Fish & Wildlife Kim Royar, Special Assistant to the FW Commissioner
Presentation #2: A Primer on Act 250 and Forest Land Use: Selected Portions of the Act 250 Statute
Peter Gill, Associate General Counsel, Natural Resources Board
Presentation #3: A Primer on Municipal Regulation and Land Use Planning in Vermont
John Adams, Agency of Commerce & Community Development
Background Reports
- Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation, Agency of Natural Resources: 2015 Vermont Forest Fragmentation Report
- Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation, Agency of Natural Resources: Recommendations in Support of Forest Health and Integrity in Response to Act 61 of 2015
- Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC): Forest Fragmentation Action Plan
- Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC): Roundtable on Parcelization and Forest Fragmentation
- Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC): Informing Land Use Planning and Forestland Conservation Through Subdivision and Parcelization Trend Information
- Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC): Informing Land Use Planning and Forestland Conservation Through Subdivision and Parcelization Trend Information: Phase II Report
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife and Vermont Land Trust: Vermont Conservation Design: Maintaining and Enhancing an Ecologically Functional Landscape
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife: Vermont Habitat Block and Habitat Connectivity: An Analysis Using Geographic Information Systems