Engaging the Public in Clean Water Budget Process
Learn how the public can participate in the Clean Water budget process in Vermont through online resources, public hearings, and feedback mechanisms. Find out why respondents choose to engage, including concerns about environmental impact, equity considerations, project implementation challenges, and stormwater issues.
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Engaging the Public in the Budget Process Access materials online Visit the Clean Water Board webpage: dec.vermont.gov/water- investment/cwi/board Join the Clean Water Stakeholders Listserv: tinyurl.com/87s7tjse Review available materials 1) Background: Clean Water StoryMap 3) SFY 2026 Deep Dive: Budget Table Policy Document Line-Item summary recordings Table 2) SFY 2026 At a Glance: Two-Pager Plain Language Budget Feedback Via online questionnaire Via written submission: anr.cleanwatervt@vermont.gov At Public Hearing Public Comment Period: October 18, 2024 - November 17, 2024 Public Hearing: November 8, 2024 Clean Water Board consideration of public comment: December 3, 2024
SFY 2026 Communications Improvements Screenshot of Clean Water Board and Budget StoryMap Plain Language Clean Water Budget Table
Public Participation in Clean Water Budget Process 400 $60,000,000 350 $50,000,000 300 $40,000,000 250 Participation Counts 200 $30,000,000 150 $20,000,000 100 $10,000,000 50 0 $- 2020 2021 2022 2023 Axis Title 2024 2025 2026 Questionnaire Responses (Count) Public Hearing Attendees (Count) Emails Recevied (Count) Total Draft Budget Amount ($)
Why questionnaire respondents chose to participate in the process: Environmental concerns: including the adverse effect that cyanobacteria blooms have on recreation and tourism and worries about the timeliness of clean water action in Vermont. Equity considerations: like the equal distribution of clean water funds across the state and the negative impact of regulatory requirements on low-income Vermonters. Project implementation: Participants commented that they have seen bottlenecks in project completion due to lack of funds and that money should be going toward the best implementation projects. Public support: Respondents commented that they chose to answer the questionnaire to inform the state of local needs and to show public concern. 3-acre program/stormwater concerns: including residents inability to pay for new regulatory stormwater infrastructure.
