05/29/2026
Vermont’s legislature has passed S.323, a bill that makes permanent a collaborative stakeholder group that brings together farmers, environmental organizations, and technical service providers to improve agricultural water quality, permitting, and regulation.
From Conservation Law Foundation's press release: “It was heartening to meet face to face with farmers through the initial stakeholder group this year, and to talk about regulatory approaches that will be practical and workable for farmers, while also protecting water quality,” said Jenny Patterson, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC). “LCC applauds the creation of a permanent stakeholder group that will be co-chaired by a livestock farmer and a representative of the environmental advocate community, and that will provide ongoing feedback as Vermont transitions to a new system of managing farm-based pollution while also creating clarity and predictability for farmers.”
This legislation matters because Vermonters deserve real progress, not more half steps while farmers navigate a broken program and pollution continues to threaten our lakes, rivers, and communities.
