Serving the Northwest Region

NRPC Newsletter - January 2024

NRPC NEWS

Guest Editorials

by NRPC Staff

NRPC staff recently highlighted issues of local concern in guest editorials in the St. Albans Messenger. Executive Director Catherine Dimitruk made the case for proposed changes to Act 250, Vermont’s signature land use law. Christine Porcaro, Healthy Roots Coordinator, joined Michelle Trayah of Northwest Counseling and Support Services to highlight the need for collective support for our neighbors with food insecurity and hunger. Thank you to the St. Albans Messenger for its efforts to elevate local voices. Please reach out to Catherine or Christine with questions or comments.

Editorial - Act 250 is Overdue for a Transformation

Editorial - Nourishing our Neighbors: A Call to Action in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties

A New Year -

A Fresh Look to NRPC

In early 2023, NRPC hired Flek, Inc. a design firm from St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with the purpose of researching opportunities to update the longstanding NRPC logo. It was our goal to make updates that reflect the work we do and those who we serve. The new logo was to be clear, concise, and work more effectively across different media formats. After a number of revisions based on feedback from staff and the NRPC Executive Committee, the Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the new logo at the November 2023 meeting. Over the coming weeks, you will see a rebrand across our digital and printed materials, website, social media platforms and branding efforts.

Only our logo is changing. NRPC will continue to serve the 23 municipalities within the Northwest Region of Vermont, in all the ways we have for the past 50 plus years.

NRPC is Hiring!

NRPC seeking a full-time assistant planner/zoning administrator to work with communities in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. The position includes serving as the appointed zoning administrator/local planner for up to three municipalities and to assist NRPC with regional and local planning projects.

This is a great opportunity for someone with professional, volunteer or educational experience in local planning and zoning! Questions can be sent to Catherine Dimitruk. Interviews will begin mid-January.

For more information click here.

PERMIT OBTAINMENT ASSISTANCE

Is Your Property Subject to the 3-Acre Permit?

Help is Available!

The state’s 3-acre permit requirements pose a challenge to those who are unaccustomed to regulatory matters. Cost of compliance is also a concern. But there is some good news! More financial assistance is available to eligible sites seeking Three-Acre Permit coverage.

Qualifying sites may be eligible for up to $49,999 in beneficiary payments.

And some eligible sites that have already applied for Three-Acre Permit coverage may qualify for reimbursement for costs incurred on or after March 3, 2021!

Applications are due October 31, 2024.

For more information, visit American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 3-Acre Funding Programs.

To view a list of sites in the northwest region subject to the 3-acre requirements, visit here.

NORTHERN LAKE CHAMPLAIN PLAN UPDATE

Community Voices Needed During

Northern Lake Champlain Plan Update

Tactical Basin Plans help Vermonters strategize about the best ways to keep the state’s watersheds healthy. The health of the surface waters in our communities is important for multiple reasons, including drinking water, recreational opportunities, and protection of infrastructure by providing space for floodwater expansion.

The Tactical Basin Plan for the area known as the Northern Lake Champlain drainage is currently being updated. (See map right) Thus, anyone who might be interested in ANR’s work (including those on town boards and committees) is being encouraged to participate. One easy way to do that is by completing the survey located here.

UPCOMING MEETINGS OR WORKSHOPS

Sheldon Junction Trailhead

Local Concerns Meeting

Monday - January 22

6:00pm

Sheldon Town Office

Come share your thoughts about potential improvements to the trailhead in Sheldon Junction and your ideas for improving safety and connectivity for all trail users.

Click here for more information.

Learn More About Cyanobacteria

Thursday - February 1

6:00 - 7:00pm

Sheldon Town Office

Join Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative and Friends of Northern Lake Champlain for an evening of learning! Peter Isles from Vermont DEC, Watershed Division, will lead us through an informative discussion on cyanobacteria, highlighting topics such as: how to identify a bloom, special concerns associated with them, and how they are impacted by stormwater runoff.

So, bring your questions and let’s get ready to dive in!

Harnessing River Wisdom for

Community Safety & Prosperity

Monday - January 29

6:00 - 9:00pm

Franklin Homestead and Carriage House

Join us for an in-person flood resilience workshop at the FELCO room at the Franklin Homestead and Carriage House (located in the bottom floor of the Franklin Homestead senior housing building)! Improve your understanding of river science, floodplain management and the long-term benefits of floodplain regulations in Franklin County.

Through the course of the evening, panelists will share their personal experiences with flooding events, we’ll explore Vermont’s topology and river science with a flume table, and we’ll learn what we can do to make our communities stronger.

Pizza dinner is provided!

This workshop is intended for municipal board members (i.e. Planning Commission, Conservation Commission, Selectboard, Development Review Board) or other interested community volunteers. All are welcome.

Harnessing River Wisdom for Community Safety & Prosperity Flyer

For more information, contact Sara Gratz.

2024 - NATURAL SHORELAND EROSION CONTROL CERTIFICATION (NSECC)

Tuesday - January 23

9am - 4pm

Vermont State University

Friday - January 26