In order to protect Vermont’s natural waterways and important stream ecosystems, we are suggesting the following management strategies that are currently being utilized as well as ways Vermont can continue to protect streams.
Management Strategies being utilized by the Water Quality Division:
- Floodplain and shoreline protection that reduce encroachment.
- The promotion of vegetated buffers along rivers, lakes etc.
- Stormwater regulation.
- Low impact development and management practices.
- Monitoring of biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the watersheds.
- Improvement of infrastructure near water sources like upgrading culverts and removal of inoperative dams.
Other ways to protect Vermont waters
- Restore vegetated buffers along the waterways.
- Develop education and outreach programs concerning water resources in a changing climate.
- Establish policies that require new infrastructure to be further away from waterways and that retains the natural buffers.
- Monitor species vulnerabilities to changing stream conditions.
- Revamp monitoring services for toxins in wastewater and groundwater.
To learn more about protecting Vermont’s streams we recommend checking out the following resources: https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/rivers/streamflow-protection