Notices for Week of: APRIL 21, 2005
PROPOSED STATE RULES
By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at http://vermont-archives.org/aparules/ovnotices.htm The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.
To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible
To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (828-2231).
Revision to Rules & Regulations - Visitor Conduct & Fees and Charges for State Park Services & Commercial Activities on Department Lands, effective 6/24/05.
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P010
AGENCY: Vt. Agency of Natural Resources
CONCISE SUMMARY: Re-instituting "prime campsites" with an additional $2 per site per night charge. Mt. Mansfield Stone Hut fee increases from $125 to $150 per group per night. Boat, canoe and kayak rental fees increase from $5 per hour to $7.50, $15 to $20 for a half-day, and $30 to $35 for a full-day. Adding the phrase "designated by the Commissioner of Forests Parks & Recreation" to the
line for day-use fee in low-use parks. Removing a statement regarding shelter fees that already exists in the Refund Policy. Increase docking fee at Burton Island State Park from $1 to $1.25 per foot, and bicycle transport from $1 to $2. Removing "Ropes Course" from Cheney House portion. Instituting a maximum of 2 cars per campsite at Green River Reservoir State Park. Increasing group and wedding fees at Seyon Ranch State Park.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Affected are people who pick the most popular campsites in the parks, folks who use the Stone Hut, folks who rent boats in the parks, visitors using the Burton Island docks and ferry boat for bicycle transportation, group users at Seyon Ranch State Park and campers at Green River.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: These changes should generate about $25,000 - $30,000 from the prime sites, about $5,000 - $8,000 from the boat rental increase, and another $5,000 - $8,000 from other miscellaneous fee increases.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: May 10, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. - Forests, Parks & Recreation Conference Center, Waterbury, VT and May 11, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. - Franklin Center, Rutland VT.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: May, 18, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Larry T. Simino, Director of State Parks, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671 (802)241-3664
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Communicable Disease Regulations
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P011
AGENCY: Human Services, Department of Health
CONCISE SUMMARY: The proposed rules seek to do the following to the Communicable Disease Regulations: 1) Allow for the sharing of medical encounter information (e.g., emergency department admission diagnoses); 2) Change the type of information that is required to be reported for influenza and varicella; 3) Add to the type of information that is required to be reported for hepatitis C and HIV infection; 4) Add the requirement that isolates of certain organisms be submitted; 5) Delete the specifications on use of rabies vaccine in animals; and 6) Add date of birth to the list of information that is required to be reported.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Under State law, 18 V.S.A. § 1001, disease and laboratory reports must be made by health care facilities, health care providers, health maintenance organizations, hospital administrators, laboratory directors, managed care organizations, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, school health officials, and town health officers. Other affected parties include individuals with the diseases and syndromes referenced above, veterinarians, the Department of Health, and the general public.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Generally, costs of reporting and administration are minimal compared with health care costs saved due to improved epidemiologic investigation capacity, public health response, and disease prevention strategies. More specifically: 1) the sharing of medical encounter data is being done on a volunteer basis, and the costs incurred are understood; 2) the changes to the type of information required to be reported for influenza will ease the burden of reporting; 3) the changes to the type of information required to be reported for varicella will increase the burden of reporting by health care providers and school nurses; 4) the addition of the types of information required to be reported for hepatitis C and HIV will increase the burden of reporting by laboratories minimally, as these reports are already being provided; 5) the requirement to submit isolates will increase the costs to the Department of Health Lab minimally, as they already are paying for the submission of many of these isolates.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: May 9, 2005; 3-4 pm; Department of Health, Room 3B, 108 Cherry Street Burlington, VT.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: May 18, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cort Lohff, M.D., M.P.H. State Epidemiologist Vermont Department of Health 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402 (802)863-7240
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Vermont Maple Labeling
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P012
AGENCY: Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Markets
CONCISE SUMMARY: These rules amend the existing Vermont Maple Products Regulations in two instances. The first amendment is to require that whenever a maple grade appears on the label of maple syrup, and the syrup is 100% pure Vermont produced maple syrup, that the word "Vermont" shall appear in conjunction with the grade. Current rules only allow such a designation to appear in conjunction with the grade. The second instance is to require that when the word "Vermont" is contained in the company name of the maple product packer, and the product is not a 100% pure Vermont maple product, that the word "Vermont" appear in the bottom 30% of the label. Current rules only require this word placement in the labeling of maple syrup. This change would apply to pure maple sugar, pure maple candy and other pure maple products.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Vermont maple producers, dealers, processors and sellers. Consumers of maple products. Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Tourism and Marketing.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The proposed rule will require the placement of the word "Vermont" on Vermont maple syrup grade labels. These labels are usually "stick on" labels. Most producers, dealers, processors and packers already conform to this practice. Maple producers, dealers, processors and packers who have the word "Vermont" in their company name may have to change the labels on pure maple sugar, candy and other pure maple products to comply with the "bottom 30%" rule. This will require production of new labels. As the Agency has the regulatory authority to allow persons affected to "use up" existing non-conforming labels, the economic impact will be minimal, especially with the grade labels.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: Wednesday, May 11, 2005, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Second Floor Conference Room, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, 116 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: May 23, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Henry Marckres, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609 (802)828-3458.
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- If you have general questions about the rulemaking process, please contact
- Louise Corliss by e-mail at or by phone 802-828-2863
