In Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (“Agency”) is the state agency that protects and improves the health of Vermont’s people and ecosystems by promoting the sustainable use of Vermont’s natural resources.  The Agency was established pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 2802.  Simultaneously, the natural resources board is attached to the Agency for the purpose of receiving administrative support.  The Agency  provides representation on the following compact commissions:

• The interstate commission on the Lake Champlain basin;
• The New England interstate water pollution control commission.

The agency serves as a focal point for environmental protection.  The Agency is primarily divided into three departments:

• The Department of Environmental Conservation,
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife and
• The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

The Department of Environmental Conservation administers most of the Agency’s regulatory programs plus several voluntary pollution and waste reduction programs.  Program areas include the following: air quality, environmental assistance, public facilities engineering, geology, environmental permits, environmental enforcement, solid waste, hazardous waste, surface water quality, watershed planning, storm water management, drinking water supply[i].

The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages Vermont’s fisheries and wildlife resources, enforces the state’s hunting and fishing laws, and studies and inventories nongame wildlife species and natural communities[ii].

The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation operates the Vermont State Parks system, manages state forests and natural areas, and provides assistance in the areas of forestry, recreation, and conservation education[iii].

The agency is under the direction and supervision of a secretary, who is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and will serve at the pleasure of the governor.  The secretary’s office coordinates policies of the three Agency departments.  Pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 2825, the following are the primary duties of the secretary:

• To coordinate the activities of the various departments and divisions of the agency for the proper development, management and preservation of Vermont’s natural resources;
• To develop policies for the proper and beneficial development, management, and preservation of resources in harmony with the state comprehensive planning program; and
• To promote the effective application of these policies by the departments and divisions affected.

All boards, committees, councils, activities and departments are a part of the Agency.  The powers and duties of such boards, committees, councils, activities and departments, including administrative, policy making, rule making and regulatory functions, will vest in and be exercised by the secretary of the Agency[iv].

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

[i] 3 V.S.A. § 2873.
[ii] 3 V.S.A. § 2871.
[iii] 3 V.S.A. § 2872.
[iv] 3 V.S.A. § 2803.