Summer 2018 | 3 VAST VAST NEWS NEWS Summer 2018 By Randy Richardson, VT Trails & Greenways Council Chair As many of you may already know, The Agency of Natural Resources is hosting five regional summits to gather input about Act 250, including its impact on trails in Vermont. “The Commission on Act 250: The Next 50 Years,” was established by the Vermont Legislature to work on modernizing Act 250, which has regulated development in the state since June 1970. There will also be a survey published in July. Here are a few links about Act 250 and the Commission: vnrc.org/our_featured_work/ commission-on-act-250-begins-public- By Cindy Locke With increasing changes that may take place regarding trails in Vermont this summer and next legislative session, it is important to educate our members that you can make a difference locally that will have effects statewide. Its important to build good relationships with those running for office, or currently in office, to make sure they have the correct information to make qualified decisions. The best way to do this is to meet with them, let them know about us, and build a good relationship with them when possible. Below is some VAST information and talking points for our members to have with them when attending any public meetings or speaking to anyone running for office in Vermont this coming fall. Also below is a copy of a letter and links sent out today to all members of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council, of which VAST is a member. This message is regarding special ACT 250 Commission public meetings happening statewide right now. Thank you so much for all you do for VAST, for your clubs and for our great Vermont landowners! UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS ON ACT 250 forums-across-vermont/ legislature.vermont.gov/committee/ detail/2018/333 nrb.vermont.gov/act250-program We think it is very important that the Commission hear voices of the trails and outdoor recreation community during this process. We fully support the work of the Commission as conservation and environmental protection are core values for all of us. However, we are also concerned because Act 250 regulation can and has sometimes created confusing, expensive and time consuming obstacles to improving, maintaining and conserving trails. It is critical that any potential reforms fully consider the irreplaceable benefits of Vermont trails and the unique, complex and somewhat vulnerable nature of the system making them accessible to all of us. We must remind everyone who is considering these reforms how important it is to support rather than obstruct the landowners, towns, nonprofits and volunteers doing virtually all of their work for the public good. Over 70 percent of our Vermont trails are hosted and maintained on private land and maintained with over 100,000 annual volunteer hours. We hope all trail advocates, including our generous landowners and volunteers can make it to a forum or fill out the online survey. Forums have already been held in Springfield, Manchester, and Randolph. Thankfully there are many more opportunities for input throughout the state: • Island Pond – Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m. at American Legion • Rutland – Sept. 5, 6-8 p.m. at Franklin Conference Center • Burlington – Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m. at Burlington Elks Club If you can attend one of these meetings, please respectfully and constructively share all of your reasons for supporting trails as invaluable pathways to better health, rural economic stability and conservation in Vermont. Please also consider highlighting some of the following information: • Trail organizations and users are conservationists, completely dedicated to environmentally friendly and sustainable trails. • Over 70 percent of trails are on private land. We need regulation that will support the generosity of landowners and encourage even more trails and conservation. • Trails have a low environmental impact with great benefits, including the inspiration of greater conservation and environmental protection. Therefore, trails should not be considered “development” and lumped into the same regulation categories as other construction projects. • Currently, Act 250 limits Vermont’s ability to fully realize the benefits that could come with greater support for trails and outdoor recreation. • Trails and outdoor recreation not only make Vermonters healthier with over 72 percent of Vermonters participating, but they also provide over 50 thousand, or roughly 1 in 7, of the jobs in Vermont. Vermont Trails and Greenways Board Mike Debonis - Green Mountain Club Ted Chase - Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Danny Hale - V ASA Mariah Keagy - Sinuosity Breck Knauft - Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Cindy Locke - V AST Abby Long - Kingdom Trails Association Randy Richardson - Upper Valley Trails Alliance Tom Steussy - Vermont Mountain Bike Association