(Host) The Vermont Senate has streamlined environmental regulation as part of a broad economic development bill.
But as the bill was debated, members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee warned that the bill went too far.
Bennington Senator Robert Hartwell was concerned about a provision that he said could weaken the permit requirements for some development.
(Hartwell) "This part of this bill in terms of conservation and the environment and its impacts on Vermont down the road is a big deal. And I ask this body to consider this very carefully. If there’s one amendment that ought to be taken out of here, it’s this one. You run huge risks in having a general approach to something as important. We’re talking about wetlands, we’re talking about stormwater, we’re talking about stream alteration."
(Host) But Windsor Senator John Campbell said he supported the changes because they had the blessing of several statewide environmental groups.
(Campbell) "I want to be extremely clear that my decision to support the Economic Development Committee on this amendment was based heavily on the assurance by representatives of the Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Natural Resources Committee that such support would not negatively impact our environment, the integrity of Act 250 or our continued commitment to the protection of the natural resources of our great state."
(Host) The environmental amendments were included in a bill designed to make it easier for Vermont to use federal stimulus funds.