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