Categories
Uncategorized

Updates on the RAP’s

Required Agricultural Practices

The RAP Webpage

Our RAP webpage is the clearinghouse for information regarding the proposed rules and all the supporting documents:http://agriculture.vermont.gov/water-quality/regulations/rap

 

RAP Outreach Flyer

The 1-page flyer which will run in this month’s Agriview announcing the RAP webinar and Public Hearing schedule.  Please feel free to distribute widely. Click here to view: RAP Proposed Rule Flyer for Agriview-05312016

 

The Actual RAP Proposed Rule

The RAP Proposed Rule, as filed with the Secretary of State, is attached to this e-mail.  You can also download it from our website by clicking on the graphic below: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/Required-Agricultural-Practices-Regulations-Proposed-Rule-05122016.pdf

 

RAP Proposed Rule Highlighted Changes Summary

We have also provided a “Highlighted Changes Summary” which goes through RAP Proposed Rule and highlights the changes made between the 2nd draft of the RAPs and the Proposed Rule.  We then provide a discussion as to reasoning why the rule was changed.  Download that document here: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Proposed-Rule-Highlighted-Summary-Document-05132016.pdf

 

RAP Effective Dates Guidance

Many are likely to ask about the timing of the rules and when certain parts of the rules will go into effect.  Please refer everyone to the “RAP Effective Dates Guide” we’ve provided for reference: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Effective-Dates-Discussion-05162016.pdf

 

The Summary Factsheets

Two summary factsheets have been updated since the 1st draft of the RAPs to review major parts of the RAP Proposed Rule.  One has to do with Farm Size and what responsibilities are at different thresholds, as well as a summary of baseline RAP rules.

  1. http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Proposed-Rule-Farm-Size-Factsheet-05162016.pdf
  2. http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Proposed-Rule-Highlighted-Summary-Factsheet-05162016.pdf

 

The Public Hearings

The 5 public hearings we’ve scheduled are on our ‘public hearings section’ of the website:

The five public hearings will be held:

Date Meeting Title/Subject Location Time
6/21/2016 Public Hearing – St. Albans
RAP Proposed Rule
St. Albans Hiistorical Museum
9 Church Street, St. Albans City, VT 05478
12:30 – 3:30pm
6/22/2016 Public Hearing – Brandon
RAP Proposed Rule
Brandon American Legion
590 Franklin St., Brandon, VT 05733
12:30 – 3:30 pm
6/23/2016 Public Hearing – So. Royalton
RAP Proposed Rule
Vermont Law School
Chase Center
164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT 05068
12:30 – 3:30 pm
6/28/2016 Public Hearing – Newport
RAP Proposed Rule
Newport American Legion
160 Freeman St., Newport, VT 05855
12:30 – 3:30 pm
6/29/2016 Public Hearing – Brattleboro
RAP Proposed Rule
Brattleboro American Legion
32 Linden St., Brattleboro, VT 05301
12:30 – 3:30 pm

 

The Webinars

We’re going to be hosting webinars to present a summary of the Proposed RAP Rule.  Signup below! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5938291152303942401

You can watch the first recorded webinar through the link below: https://youtu.be/Albhv3ed8xo

You can download a copy of the presentation used for the webinar here: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Proposed-Rule-Presentation-05262016.pdf

 

The Timeline

See the link below for the RAP timeline outlining the rulemaking process moving forward and where we’ve been to date:

http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/RAP/RAP-Proposed-Rule-Timeline-05132016.pdf

 

Public Comment

Please be sure to share with every farmer we work with that Public Comment is now OPEN.  Now’s the time to share comment on the RAP Proposed Rule.  Refer them to AGR.RAP@vermont.gov or be sure to tell them to write us at 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620—or attend a public hearing in June.