§ 1425. Shoreland protection bylaws

(a) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall establish a shoreland management program to aid and support municipalities in adopting municipal shoreland bylaws that comply with 24 V.S.A. § 4411. The Secretary shall prepare and provide general recommended standards and criteria for shoreland bylaws utilizing the criteria set forth in section 1423 of this title. On or before February 2011, the Secretary shall develop best management practices for the management of shorelands, including buffers within shorelands, and other management techniques designed to protect the quality of public waters. The Secretary shall assist the regional planning commissions in preparing appropriate sample bylaws that conform to the intent of this section.

(b) The Secretary, the municipalities, and all State agencies shall mutually cooperate to accomplish the objectives of this section. To that end, the Secretary shall consult with the governing bodies of municipalities and shall extend all possible assistance. The Secretary shall provide appropriate sample bylaws by September 1, 1974. By September 1, 1974 the Secretary shall also contact every municipality with shorelands:

(1) commenting on their existing shoreland bylaws; and

(2) providing them with a detailed and specific program as to the steps necessary to adopt shoreland bylaws. In contacting municipalities, the Secretary shall send copies of his correspondence by certified mail to the selectboard, town clerk, and planning commission. Copies of this correspondence should also be sent to the regional planning commission for that municipality, the State planning office and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

(c) On or before January 15, 1975 and again on or before January 15, 1976 the Secretary shall make a complete and definitive report to the General Assembly on the status of shoreland zoning in Vermont. This report shall contain a municipality-by-municipality analysis of which municipalities have received appropriate sample bylaws and what actions, if any, have been taken thereon by the municipalities.

(d) This section and 24 V.S.A. § 4411 shall be construed together to accomplish the purposes and objectives of this section.

(e) Beginning February 1, 2011, the Secretary of Administration, after consultation with the State agencies of relevant jurisdiction, shall offer financial incentives to municipalities through existing grants and pass-through funding programs that encourage municipal adoption and implementation of zoning bylaws that protect shorelands and buffers. (Added 1969, No. 281 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; amended 1973, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 4, 5; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2009, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)