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District Environmental Commission Training Manual

The District Commission Training Manual is a reference for District Environmental Commissioners, including chapters on each of the 10 criteria as well as legal issues, policies, and procedures. It also serves as a guide for Act 250 participants and others seeking a comprehensive source of information about the law and its implementation.

  1. Statute and Rules
    1. 10 V.S.A. Chapter 151 (Act 250 Statute)
    2. Act 250 Rules (December 4, 2015)
  2. Act 250 Criteria
    1. Criterion 1- Air
    2. Criterion 1 - Water
    3. Criterion 1(A) - Headwaters
    4. Criterion 1(B) - Waste Disposal
    5. Criterion 1(C) - Water Conservation
    6. Criterion 1(D) - Floodways
    7. Criterion 1(E) - Streams
    8. Criterion 1(F) - Shorelines
    9. Criterion 1(G) - Wetlands
    10. Criterion 2 - Water Supply
    11. Criterion 3 - Impact on Water Supply
    12. Criterion 4 - Soil Erosion and Drainage
    13. Criterion 5(A&B) - Transportation
    14. Criterion 6 - Educational Services
    15. Criterion 7 - Municipal Services
    16. Criterion 8 - Aesthetics, Scenic and Natural Beauty
    17. Criterion 8 - Historic Sites
    18. Criterion 8 - Historic Sites - Archeology
    19. Criterion 8 - Rare and Irreplaceable Natural Areas
    20. Criterion 8(A) - Wildlife and Endangered Species Habitat
    21. Criterion 9(A) - Impact of Growth
    22. Criterion 9(B) - Primary Agricultural Soils (UNDER REVISION)
    23. Criterion 9(C) - Productive Forest Soils
    24. Criterion 9(D) - Protection of Earth Resources
    25. Criterion 9(E) - Extraction of Earth Resources
    26. Criterion 9(F) - Energy Conservation
    27. Criterion 9(G) - Private Utilities
    28. Criterion 9(H) - Scattered Development
    29. Criterion 9(J) - Public Utilities
    30. Criterion 9(K) - Public Investments
    31. Criterion 9(L) - Settlement Patterns
    32. Criterion 10 - Local and Regional Plans
  3. Legal Issues, Procedures, and Guidance
    1. Evidence in Act 250 Proceedings (August 9, 2005) (Privileged and Confidential)
    2. Party Status: Participation in Act 250 Proceedings (December 2012)
    3. District Commission Decisions: Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (October 16, 2006)
    4. Overview of Ethical Considerations for Commission Members (September 26, 2008)
    5. Ethics Disclosure Checklist (September 8, 2004)
    6. Stonybrook
    7. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)
  4. Policies, Procedures, and Publications
    1. Hearing Information
    2. Jurisdiction Categories
    3. Performance Standards
    4. District Commission Hearing Procedure
    5. Sample Hearing Script
    6. Guidance Document: Criterion 9(B) of Title 10: Protection of Primary Agricultural Soils
    7. Rule 51 Procedures
    8. Application Process Map (current state) (intended as general overview of process)