In

Flood Safety Act (Act 121)

3/30/2024

Act 121 authorizes statewide river corridor regulation and the municipal adoption of higher state floodplain standards. The Act gives the Department of Environmental Conservation Rivers Program the regulatory authority over all development in river corridors. The Rivers Program will formalize the mapped infill areas so communities know where it’s safe to develop. Vermont Governor Philip B. Scott on March 30, 2024 allowed Senate Bill No. 213 to become law as Act 121 without his signature.

Per Mike Kline, “This new law also requires municipalities to adopt the standards for floodplain management that the state has developed, likely the ‘no adverse impact’ standard, in the next few years. That takes it to the stratosphere for Vermont in terms of protecting both river corridors and floodplains. Municipalities are required to send all development proposals or draft permits to the Rivers Program to ensure what they’re permitting meets the adopted standards.”

  • Action Agency(ies): Department of Environmental Conservation, in consultation with the Agency of Commerce and Community
  • Read the full policy language
Act 250
Vermont Flood Hazard Area and River Corridor Rule