Introduction | Timeline | Meetings | Materials and Resources | Stakeholders | Contact and Comments | Act 181 Overview
Introduction
Act 181 of 2024 identified new resource areas to be considered under Act 250 review criterion 8 (ecosystem protection). Criterion 8C requires that development not result in an undue adverse impact on forest blocks and habitat connectors. Forest blocks are contiguous areas of forest in any state of succession, and not currently developed for non-forest uses. Habitat connectors are land or water areas that link patches of habitat within the landscape, allowing the movement, migration, and dispersal of wildlife and plants and the functioning of ecological processes.
Act 181 delegated forest block and habitat connector details to the Board via the rulemaking process. The Board is responsible for rules on how forest blocks and habitat connectors are further defined, including their size, location, and function. These rules must also include standards on how impacts and forest fragmentation can be avoided or minimized, including ways to promote proactive site design. Additionally, the rules must establish standards for how impacts to forest blocks and habitat connectors may be mitigated.
Timeline
More information coming soon. Stay tuned.
Meetings - agenda and minutes
More information coming soon. Stay tuned.
Materials and Resources
Act 181 language - see pages 18-22.
Stakeholders
More information coming soon. Stay tuned.
Comments and Contact
More information coming soon. Stay tuned.
Board Member and Criterion 8C Project Lead - Alex Weinhagen - 802-480-1885