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)