Bill H.434 proposes to amend the existing laws governing conservation lands funded by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The bill mandates that all conservation lands purchased with grant funds must be encumbered with specific covenants. These covenants include provisions that allow for hunting, trapping, and fishing in accordance with state law, as well as the maintenance of recreational trail systems at or above their existing levels. Additionally, if ecological needs arise that require the removal of a trail section, it must be replaced with an equivalent length of trail, and existing recreational infrastructure must be maintained unless there is an ecological imperative to alter it. The bill also allows for timber harvesting as an acceptable management practice unless ecological concerns dictate otherwise.

Furthermore, the bill includes a requirement for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to inform grant applicants and recipients about the funding source and the associated covenants. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This legislation aims to enhance the management and accessibility of conserved lands while ensuring that ecological integrity is maintained.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-321