As you'll recall, Gov. Scott in September signed an executive order aimed at easing regulatory burdens to boost housing construction in the state. 
 

Now, the Agency of Natural Resources wants to hear from you. Edits to the Vermont Wetland Rules have been filed with the Secretary of State and are now posted for public comment through January 14.
 

The edits are intended to allow for the implementation of the wetland modification portion of the Executive Order 06-25, "Promoting Housing Construction and Rehabilitation."  The Vermont Wetland Rule edits would allow certain residential housing projects in designated areas to proceed without a wetlands permit.
 

For those of you working in home construction, I encourage you to read through these proposed rules, attend one or both of the Agency's upcoming public comment meetings in December, and/or submit your written comments to the Agency by January 15.
 

You can view and download a PDF copy of the proposed rule change here (new language is underlined in the document; proposed deletions crossed out). And here's an interactive map where you can see the areas of the state set to be impacted by the proposed changes.
 

The following meetings are available for anyone who wants to learn more or to provide a comment:

• Monday, December 15 at 5pm, 1^st Floor Conference Room, 100 Mineral Street, Springfield, VT or Virtual.  Register Here
• Tuesday, December 16 at 1pm, Dewey 1^st Floor Conference Room, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT or Virtual.  Register Here 

Written comments will also be accepted.  Send comments to WetlandsRulemakingComment@vermont.gov before January 15, 2026.

Know that your comments to ANR will be part of the public record.
 

Policymakers need to hear from Vermont's experts — that's YOU! — on how proposed changes like this will impact your ability to build new housing and ultimately solve the housing crisis. Make your voices heard so the state can make the best, most informed decisions moving forward.