Vermont is holding public hearings on a proposed rule change for logging practices to protect water quality.
The state's water quality law, passed last year, requires the commissioner of the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation to amend the accepted management practices for logging operations to ensure they are designed to prevent or minimize discharges of sediment, petroleum products, and woody debris from entering streams and other waters.
Any changes must also make sure that logging operations are designed to improve soil health of forestland; protect aquatic habitat and aquatic wildlife; and prevent erosion and maintain natural water temperature.
Public hearings are planned for Jan. 26 at Lyndon State College, Jan. 28 at the University of Vermont Extension office in Berlin and Feb. 2 at the Howe Center in Rutland.
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