MONTPELIER – The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invited the public to comment on draft updates to the state wetland maps in 150 towns, covering over 45% of Vermont in a notice published March 17.
courtesy Vermont DEC
The updated maps show the approximate location and shape of wetlands across major parts of Caledonia, Windham, Windsor, Grand Isle, and Essex counties.
In the Hardwick area, map updates for the Northern Connecticut River Basin include the towns of Cabot, Marshfield, Plainfield, Stannard, Walden and the nearby towns of Danville, Groton, Peacham and Wheelock.
Combined with other recent map updates, approximately 80% of Vermont’s wetland maps will soon be current, leaving only 20% outdated. The updates are required by the Flood Safety Act, Act 121, passed in 2024 and are ahead of the timeline established by law. DEC anticipates placing the remaining areas of Vermont on notice this year.
Using new technology and high-quality aerial images, DEC will continue to update maps for the entire state to better identify wetlands, which in turn supports project developers’ efforts to plan projects in ways that avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands.
“Wetlands are transitional areas where land and water meet,” said DEC Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “Marshes, swamps and other types of wetlands offer vital benefits to Vermonters, from drought prevention and floodwater storage to quality of life.”
Robust wetland maps can help property owners, towns, and developers by guiding development, Streamlining the wetland regulatory process, Informing real estate decisions, Supporting land use planning and assisting with wetland restoration and mitigation efforts
“Wetland maps are important planning tools, but up until last year much of the state was last mapped over 30 years ago and missed a significant amount of wetland area,” said Laura Lapierre, DEC Wetlands Program Manager. “Our department encourages everyone to check out the online interactive wetland map update.”
View the changes to the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory Map on the online interactive map.
Public meetings were held one and six days after publication of the notice, March 18 and 23, but comments will still be accepted until April 3 by clicking on the Comment button at enb.vermont.gov/?id=29600.
The notice indicates, “You must have commented in order to be able to appeal a decision and an individual may only appeal issues related to their own comment(s). 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. Learn more at dec.vermont.gov.
