Notices for Week of: NOVEMBER 16, 2006
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).
Fish Importation
Vermont Proposed Rule: 06P033
AGENCY: Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Dept.
CONCISE SUMMARY: The rule requires any person importing fish that will be introduced into state waters have a fish importation permit issued by the Fish and Wildlife Department. The following criteria are used in determining whether to issue a permit: do the fish pose a potential threat to the fisheries resources through diseases or species competition; could they be destructive to, or be a significant competitor with, resident fish and wildlife for food or habitat; or could they pose any threat to fish, wildlife or humans. The importation permit will require fish health inspections of imported fish including bait fish. The rule will eliminate the importation of most wild caught fish, in particular bait fish from other states. However, the commissioner may, subject to conditions, permit the importation of live wild caught fish species from waters identified in a list maintained by the department. The rule will require dead bait to be adequately processed to prevent introduction of pathogens.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Anglers, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and bait dealers.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The introduction of disease through bait could have significant negative impacts to the fishery and fishing. In the great lakes the recent introduction of a viral pathogen killed hundreds of tons of sport fish. This would affect fishing or the perception of fishing by anglers and that would negatively impact the department's license sales. It would reduce the economic benefits the anglers provide the state that a 2001 National survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service estimated to be $93 million. And it would impact bait dealers that rely on the anglers. Stopping the introduction of wild and uninspected bait fish will require bait dealers to utilize hatchery reared bait that have been inspected for disease that would possibly be more costly. The cost would likely be passed on to consumers, the anglers.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: December 7, 2006, 7-9 PM, St. Leo's Hall, Waterbury, VT.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: December 14, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tom Wiggins, Fish Culture Operations Manager Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife 103 South Main Street, 10 South, Waterbury, VT 0567-0501 802-241-3710
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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
