Upcoming Events

Clean Water Project Verification Field Training Dates

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) and Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) are hosting three optional field training days to review the Verification process for Clean Water Projects. DEC has developed tools, guidance, and training for clean water partners to perform Clean Water Project Verification, with an emphasis on verification of projects funded through the Clean Water Service Provider (CWSP) network. Verification is part of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Clean Water Projects under the Clean Water Service Delivery Act of 2019.

• The Training will Cover: Overview of the project site, implementation, and maintenance to date | Walkthrough of the Survey123 Verification Checklist(s) and User Guides | Process of conducting a verification site visit

Eligibility to Attend Field Day: Prior to attending this field day, please be sure to have completed the following online trainings and filled out the post-training evaluations. If you are unsure if you have completed all the required trainings, reach out to Rachel Buchanan at rachel.buchanan@vermont.gov. 

• Tier 1 Part 1: O&M of Clean Water Projects
• Tier 2 Part 1: Verification Tools
• Tier 2 Part 2: Verification Process and Survey123

To access previously recorded trainings and other information visit the DEC Verification and Operation & Maintenance webpage.

How to Attend Field Training: To attend, please register using this online RSVP form. Prior to the training date, we will reach out to registered attendees with final scheduling and preparations.

Verification Field Day Training 1: This field-based training will review the Stormwater and Riparian Buffer project type DEC verification checklists.

Event details:

• Date: Thursday August 7, 2025 | Location: Moretown/Middlesex area | Time: 9:00 am -1:00 pm
• Please RSVP by July 31, 2025.

2025 VCRD Leadership Summit

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has announced their 2025 Vermont Community Leadership Summit: Communities in Action! The event will take place on Monday, August 11th at Vermont State University in Randolph, Vermont.

Join hundreds of community builders from across the state to gain skills and cultivate connections for a vibrant future. Workshops, panels, and networking sessions will explore how we work together to get things done, even when times are tough and resources are limited. There will be many topics to choose from including this year’s optional Participation Pathways: Community Leadership Skills; Arts and Culture: Building Community, Solving Problems; From Idea to Action; or Navigating Change and Uncertainty.

All who want to support their community and the future of the state are welcome and encouraged to attend! Visit vtrural.org/summit to learn more.

Community News

Requests for Cost Estimates - Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) is requesting Cost Estimates from Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) to conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for 33 and 35 North Main Street, Waterbury VT. 

Proposals Due: August 22, 2025

Full details @ https://centralvtplanning.org/news/rfq_rfp/

Regional Future Land Use Mapping - Municipal Meetings

In 2024 the Vermont Legislature passed Act 181 which updated Act 250 (Vermont’s statewide land use permitting) to create a tiered framework for location-based jurisdiction. Act 181 requires Regional Planning Commissions to develop future land use maps as part of the regional planning process. The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission is currently working on a draft future land use map and updates to the Regional Plan. Our Land Use Planning Team would like to schedule a time to meet with your Selectboard, Planning Commission, representatives of other municipal Boards and Commissions and the public to discuss Act 181’s tiered framework, future land use areas and the draft Regional Future Land Use Map. We are asking for 30 minutes of time on an upcoming Selectboard or Planning Commission agenda to engage your community on this topic. We aim to visit with all 23 of our member municipalities by November 2025 and anticipate submitting the Regional Future Land Use Map for state approval by January 2026. For more information or to schedule a meeting in your community please contact Brian Voigt (voigt@cvregion.com) and Niki Sabado (sabado@cvregion.com). We look forward to meeting with you!

Community Drivers Needed!

Transportation is essential—and for many in Central Vermont, it’s a lifeline to medical care, groceries, and community services.

You can make a real difference. Volunteer as a Community Driver with Green Mountain Transit and help your neighbors stay connected to what matters most.



Learn more from: https://ow.ly/ATxi50WthKw

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/B1vr50WthKt

Vermont Conservation Plan - Info and Listening Sessions

The Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act (CRBPA - Act 59 of 2023) creates the mechanism and mandate to take stock of what has been achieved to date and map out next steps to protect the beauty and integrity of the state’s natural and working lands. The VCP process continues with the first round of phase 2 public engagement - Regional Listening Sessions! These sessions are an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, learn about existing conservation in the state, and provide input on the direction of the plan so far.

We are hosting these sessions in four locations across the state to get as much input as possible: Ludlow, South Burlington, East Burke, and Brandon. For those unable to attend, we will be hosting a virtual session on August 5. More details available here.

Disaster Recovery Funding Application Now Open

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced the opening of the application process for $67,845,000 in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding in response to the July 2023 floods. These funds will benefit communities most impacted from the 2023 floods in regions designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in consultation with state officials. Designated Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas include Lamoille, Washington, Caledonia, Orleans, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor counties.

The State of Vermont developed its CDBG-DR Action Plan through a public process this spring and the final plan was approved by HUD this week. ACCD is currently receiving and reviewing pre-applications, which are due by August 5. ACCD anticipates opening up the full application by late August, with full applications due by September 30. The first round of funding awards are anticipated to be made by the end of 2025.

More information, instructions, guidelines and guidance on how to apply can be found on the CDBG - Disaster Recovery Webpage.

ACCD is currently providing technical assistance for prospective Disaster Recovery projects located within the HUD- or State-Identified MID areas.

Contact CDBG-DR Staff at ACCD.CDBGDR@vermont.gov to schedule a technical assistance call.