The bill H.434, introduced by a group of Vermont Representatives, aims to amend the existing laws governing conservation lands funded by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The proposed legislation mandates that all conservation lands purchased with grant funds must include specific covenants. These covenants will ensure that activities such as hunting, trapping, and fishing are permitted in accordance with state law, and that recreational trail systems are maintained at or above their current levels of connectivity and length. Additionally, if any trail sections need to be removed for ecological reasons, they must be replaced with equivalent trail lengths, and existing recreational infrastructure must be preserved unless there is a compelling ecological reason to alter it. The bill also allows for timber harvesting as a management practice on these lands, provided there are no ecological constraints.

Furthermore, the bill includes a provision that requires all grant recipients to acknowledge these covenants as part of their agreement to receive funds. It also specifies that the act will take effect on July 1, 2025. This legislation reflects a commitment to balancing conservation efforts with recreational opportunities and sustainable land management practices in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-321