State Seeks Input On Proposed Archeology Protection Changes

June 12, 2009 - PRLog -- MONTPELIER, Vt. - The state is asking for feedback from archaeological experts, developers, and the public on a proposed new method to pay for protecting archaeological sites and new rules for historic preservation.

Officials with the Agency of Commerce and Community Developments' Division for Historic Preservation are planning a series of meetings this summer to discuss a new funding system to pay for archaeological studies undertaken as part of Act 250, as well as other protection activities.

"We're looking for feedback as we move forward with proposed rule changes," said Betsy Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. "We want to make sure that the Division for Historic Preservation's practices are consistent with the law, and that all applicants have clear expectations that everyone agrees upon."

Under Act 250, the state's environmental protection and development control law, the Division for Historic Preservation makes recommendations to the district environmental commissions on whether a proposed development would impact "historic sites," including archaeological sites.

"We don't issue permits," Bishop said. "The division recommends whether a project should get a permit, and how much field study should be done to determine whether an area is archaeologically significant and should be protected. The District Commission makes those decisions."

The new rules the state is considering, Bishop said, would clarify that district commissions have the decision-making authority about such questions as whether to require additional field studies and the cost of paying for them.

How applicants would pay for the costs associated with deciding what sites are historically significant and protecting them is the other part of the equation.

"The recently enacted fee bill directed the Division for Historic Preservation and the Natural Resources Board to collaborate on developing a fee schedule to fund these operations," Bishop said. "We're asking for feedback from developers and other stakeholders on that and the rules changes."

The Division for Historic Preservation plans to hold public meetings to gather feedback from stakeholders and the public.

Additional materials will be posted on this website as they become available.

http://www.historicvermont.org/programs/archeo_act250_pub...


Public Meetings on Archeology

June 23, 2009

Williston - 5:00- 6:30 pm

7928 Williston Road

Williston, VT

June 25, 2009


Rutland - 12:00-2:00 pm

GMNF Building

Supervisors Office Conference Room

231 North Main St. (RT 7)

Rutland, VT

June 30, 2009

St. Johnsbury - 5:00-6:30 pm

Regional Planning Commission Conference Room

36 Eastern Ave.

St. Johnsbury, VT


July 14, 2009

Rockingham - 12:00-2:00 pm

Women's Club, Town Hall

7 Square

Bellows Falls, VT

# # #

All the News topics from Federal Government, Local Government, Vermont State Government, Abenaki News, Native American Tribal Government, and the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs that is fit to print and some that is not.