The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has developed a comprehensive approach to the regulation of farms in the State in order to best protect water resources. The development of a three-tiered approach to regulating Vermont farms allows for a logical progression in regulatory oversight as a farm grows in size from a small farm subject to regulation under the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) Regulations, to a Medium Farm Operation (MFO) regulated under the state's MFO General Permit, to a Large Farm Operation (LFO) regulated under a LFO Individual Permit.
Enforcement & Compliance
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Regulatory Enforcement Process
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Act 64 Vermont's Clean Water Act Recognizes VAAFM water quality enforcement authority in 6 V.S.A. Chapter 215 Subchapter 10.
- VAAFM now has the authority to
- issue emergency orders to protect water quality;
- require the implementation of mandatory corrective actions; and
- remove livestock when the volume of waste exceeds farm capacity.
- Under 6 V.S.A. Chapter. 215, when VAAFM identifies a small, medium, or large farm in violation of the RAP, MFO, or LFO requirements, VAAFM shall initiate the enforcement process.
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