VT Returning to Pre-Irene River Work Rules

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources says the emergency rules that allowed people to work in the state's rivers and streams to help clean up after Tropical Storm Irene are no longer valid.  WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports…

Effective immediately, anyone who wants to work in a waterway must comply with all rules and regulations and get a permit from a state river engineer.

Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears says many people still have work to do in the state's waterways, but Vermonters will be better served by returning to the original procedures.

After Irene hit Vermont Aug. 28, state officials changed the procedures for working in waterways so people could remove gravel, straighten streams or undertake projects simply with verbal approval of state officials.

Some felt that led to shoddy river restoration work. 

I’m Pat Bradley, WAMC News. 

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