VERMONTS ACT-250 LEGISLATION - A CITIZEN BASED RESPONSE TO RAPID GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Unregulated land development, dramatic increases in population, soarin g land prices, and environmental degradation are significant factors r esponsible for the widespread concern among Vermonters that the state is losing its distinctive rural character and its small, picturesque v illages, The citizen legislature responded by adopting Act 250, Vermon t's principal land development and land use law, This paper describes the events leading to the passage of this law, examines the major comp onents of this progressive legislation, and analyzes its effectiveness in protecting Vermont's natural resources. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.