Surface Water Withdrawals for Farming

V.S.A. tit. 6, ch. 215, subch. 6A

in effect

6 V.S.A. § 4926 Definitions

4926. Definitions As used in this subchapter: (1) “Surface water” means all rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and all bodies of surface waters that are contained within, flow through, or border upon the State or any portion of it. “Surface water” does not include the following: (A) groundwater as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1391; (B) artificial waterbodies as defined under section 29A-101(d) of the Vermont Water Quality Standards; (C) treatment ponds, lagoons, or wetlands created solely to meet the requirements of a permit issued for a discharge; and (D) constructed off-stream farm ponds or other off-stream impoundments that are used for irrigation for farming or watering of livestock. (2) “Withdrawal” means the intentional diversion from a surface water by pumping, gravity, or other method for the purpose of being used for irrigation for farming, livestock watering, or other uses for farming. “Withdrawal” does not include direct consumption of surface water by livestock. Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. July 1, 2022.

6 V.S.A. § 4927 Report of surface water withdrawals for irrigation, livestock watering, or other farming use

4927. Report of surface water withdrawals for irrigation, livestock watering, or other farming use (a) Report of withdrawal. Beginning on January 15, 2023 and annually thereafter, any person who withdrew 10,000 gallons or more of surface water within a 24-hour period in the preceding calendar year or 150,000 gallons or more of surface water over any 30-day period in the preceding calendar year shall file a report with the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The report shall be made on a form provided by the Secretary and shall include all of the following information: (1) an estimate of the total amount of water withdrawn in the preceding calendar year; (2) the location of the withdrawals; (3) the daily maximum withdrawal for each month; (4) the date of each daily maximum withdrawal; and (5) any other information related to surface water withdrawal required by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. (b) Sharing of data. Beginning February 1, 2023 and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall submit to the Secretary of Natural Resources the data collected under this section for the purposes of the report to the General Assembly required by 10 V.S.A. § 1045. Added 2021, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. July 1, 2022.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/06/215Fetched: 10/21/2026