The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) appreciate all the time, energy and input that interested parties contributed to the development of the White River Basin Plan (finalized and adopted in November 2002) and to the wide variety of water quality improvement projects already undertaken or currently underway.  A copy of the adopted plan is available below. To receive information about the planning process, please contact Karen Bates.

• White River Basin Plan (pdf, 1.4 MB)
• Appendices (pdf, 59 KB)
• Cover Letter (pdf, 281 KB)
• Executive Summary (pdf, 846 KB)
• Responsiveness Summary (pdf, 213 KB)

Notice:  At the request of ANR and DEC, the Vermont Water Resources Board initiated rulemaking to amend the Vermont Water Quality Standards to re-classify  surface waters within the drainage area as recommended in the White River Basin Plan. The Board had considered proposing to re-classify all Class B waters in the White River Basin to Water Management Type One, Two or Three as depicted in the maps accompanying the Plan and to re-classify Lake Casper in Royalton from Class A(2) to Water Management Type Two.

In February 2005, the Water Resources Board sought public comment on the proposed amendments to the Vermont Water Quality Standards and scheduled two public hearings.   One hearing was held at St. John's Church in Randolph, Vermont; the second was held at the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, Vermont.  The Water Resources Board also accepted written comments on the proposed amendments through March 2005.

The Water Resources Board (currently known as the Water Resources Panel) asked ANR and DEC to withdraw its petition for re-classification and water management typing.  The rule for the typing and re-classification of surface waters in the White River basin remains unsettled and has not been finalized.  ANR and DEC are working with the Water Resources Panel to arrive at a mutually agreeable approach towards water management typing which is science-based, sustainable and practical to implement and transparent to all interested and affected persons.

• Connecticut River Watershed Council
• Connecticut River Joint Commissions
• White River Partnership
• Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional [Planning] Commission
• Guidelines for Watershed Planning (pdf, 374 KB)
• Vermont Clean and Clear Action Plan

Updated: March 2007