JIM FROM BENNINGTON

I have experienced a number of situations with my land that has involved restrictions from the Agency of Natural Resources. I do not know if they involve Act 181 but they DO involve restricting rights, in my opinion.

1) For nearly 20 years I owned two lots on Woodford Lake, Vermont at Woodford Lake Estates. The total land measurement was 100’ x150’.  When all the stars aligned and I was ready to build a camp in 2022, I was told NO by ANR. Holding tanks for waste were now outlawed. Reason? Someone didn’t pump when required so no none but public or religious use is lawful.  Town had no idea.  Useless land.

2) I have a three acre parcel in Shaftesbury, Vermont. The neighboring owner in 2024 had a septic design engineered for an added dwelling. The design included a 150’ septic field runoff on MY property. It is called Shadowing. It is legal. The Rutland ANR agent told me that project would be OKed if it was submitted.

3) On the same Shaftesbury property I have an artesian well approximately 300’ deep that was put in during the 1960s by the former owner.  The water has been tested yearly. ANR told me that well cannot be used because it has not been attached to a dwelling for five years. 2024 The Shaftesbury town office knew nothing of the restrictions being possible.

4) I have a 22 acre parcel in Bennington, Vermont. The Rutland ANR engineer told us we would not be able to build where we are today.  Wetland is growing in a low area because Vermont has outlawed clearing the small brook crossing the property.

I would like to make it clear that the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and governing committees are strangling the rights of Vermont landowners.  Their restrictions are choking my rights and they are, daily, coming up with land management maneuvers that THEY feel are more important than the stewardship of generations of Vermont landowners.  I am appalled by their presumptive diagnoses that are only based on probability or reasonable belief.  They are acting with unwarranted confidence.  They are also acting and voting along party lines.