The new act 250 bill being debated keeps pushing for exemption for recreation trails from the environmental review process that has kept VT's character somewhat intact for decades.
It's impossible to imagine the ANR, or the FP and R, who actively market and monetize these trail systems, can also serve as a regulatory agency for the same resources, as the NRB has done for years.
It is noteworthy that the folks who have placed themselves within the various 501c3s lobbying for this exemption are folks like VMBA directors, board members, professional trail developers, and others with financial interests in marketing and developing trail systems in Vt.
A resource, like the KT, who's act 250 review is on hold until the new Act 250 bill is settled, would be exempt from the review process. This one location draws 135,000 visitors a year, 90 percent from out of state, to a town of 5000 ppl. Perry Hill, 20,000 last year. Consider the rest of the state tourism business, we're looking at land use for millions of people a season exempt.
The real joke here is that the purpose of amending Act 250 this year is to STRENGTHEN protections for the environment. At the same time they are attempting to exempt recreational trail development, the purpose of which has been explicitly stated for decades now as economic in nature.
This debacle is just another clear example of the duplicitous nature of Vt's false progressives giving lip service to agendas they have no intention of acting on with any real efficacy. There is not another industry in the state exempt from act 250 review that is operating on the same scale as commercial trail use and development. We are talking about an explosion heavy equipment construction in our town forests, state and national parks exempt from independent environmental review, and instead handed over to the agencies, and in fact the very individuals, that are simultaneously marketing these resources for their own personal financial gains, and social status.
Fortunately, some representatives see this obvious contradiction and are giving some resistance. This debate is happening now. Funny how it's basically invisible. You'd think organizations who manage trail systems like VMBA, GMC, etc, etc, would be encouraging debate, and public input but it's not about transparency. It's about self-appointed experts, who have stacked the boards of these groups, pushing their agendas as if they represent all of us. The less you know, the better for them. These groups represent their personal interests, the interests of capital investors in the state, and the interests of the tourism industry, not the environmental, and cultural interests of our communities.
Now is the time to get involved, if you feel like you have a dog in this fight.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/all/2020/House
It's impossible to imagine the ANR, or the FP and R, who actively market and monetize these trail systems, can also serve as a regulatory agency for the same resources, as the NRB has done for years.
It is noteworthy that the folks who have placed themselves within the various 501c3s lobbying for this exemption are folks like VMBA directors, board members, professional trail developers, and others with financial interests in marketing and developing trail systems in Vt.
A resource, like the KT, who's act 250 review is on hold until the new Act 250 bill is settled, would be exempt from the review process. This one location draws 135,000 visitors a year, 90 percent from out of state, to a town of 5000 ppl. Perry Hill, 20,000 last year. Consider the rest of the state tourism business, we're looking at land use for millions of people a season exempt.
The real joke here is that the purpose of amending Act 250 this year is to STRENGTHEN protections for the environment. At the same time they are attempting to exempt recreational trail development, the purpose of which has been explicitly stated for decades now as economic in nature.
This debacle is just another clear example of the duplicitous nature of Vt's false progressives giving lip service to agendas they have no intention of acting on with any real efficacy. There is not another industry in the state exempt from act 250 review that is operating on the same scale as commercial trail use and development. We are talking about an explosion heavy equipment construction in our town forests, state and national parks exempt from independent environmental review, and instead handed over to the agencies, and in fact the very individuals, that are simultaneously marketing these resources for their own personal financial gains, and social status.
Fortunately, some representatives see this obvious contradiction and are giving some resistance. This debate is happening now. Funny how it's basically invisible. You'd think organizations who manage trail systems like VMBA, GMC, etc, etc, would be encouraging debate, and public input but it's not about transparency. It's about self-appointed experts, who have stacked the boards of these groups, pushing their agendas as if they represent all of us. The less you know, the better for them. These groups represent their personal interests, the interests of capital investors in the state, and the interests of the tourism industry, not the environmental, and cultural interests of our communities.
Now is the time to get involved, if you feel like you have a dog in this fight.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/all/2020/House