I am an 8th-generation Vermonter. Long before I entered public service, I learned that Vermont’s natural resources are among our greatest treasures. They are the foundation of our economy, our traditions, our outdoor heritage, and our quality of life.
What Natural Resources and Energy Mean to Me
My connection to Vermont’s forests, farms, fields, mountains, rivers, and wildlife began as a young boy and continued throughout my career as a farmer, sportsman, military officer, Deputy Game Warden, and legislator.
I believe conservation and responsible stewardship go hand in hand with private property rights. We do not have to choose between protecting Vermont’s natural resources and protecting the rights of the people who own and care for the land. In fact, many of Vermont’s greatest conservation successes have occurred because private landowners voluntarily acted as good stewards of the land.
I believe many of Vermont’s best environmental outcomes occur when citizens become partners in conservation rather than subjects of regulation.
Whether it is a farmer protecting water quality, a landowner managing wildlife habitat, a sportsman’s club teaching safe firearms handling, or a municipality improving stormwater infrastructure, long-term success is most often achieved through cooperation, education, and shared responsibility.
That philosophy has guided my work as Vice Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee.
What Success Looks Like
Throughout my service, I have consistently asked: Are we achieving measurable environmental improvements while keeping Vermont affordable for the people who live here?
I believe Vermont can protect its natural resources, preserve its outdoor heritage and traditions, support working lands, strengthen its economy, and remain affordable for future generations.
We must do all of these things. Those goals should not be in conflict. They should work together.
Environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, affordable energy, working lands, and strong communities are not competing priorities. They are all essential to Vermont’s future.
The 3-Acre Rule and Water-Quality Accountability
One of the most significant issues I have worked on as Vice Chair of Senate Natural Resources & Energy involves implementation of Vermont’s stormwater permitting requirements under General Permit 3-9050, commonly known as the “3-Acre Rule.”
I raised concerns regarding site verification, implementation costs, prioritization, fairness, and the financial impact on municipalities, businesses, schools, and property owners.
Throughout the process, I worked to bring greater transparency and accountability to implementation efforts while advocating for practical solutions that recognize both environmental goals and economic realities.
My focus has always been to ensure that Vermont’s water-quality programs produce measurable environmental improvements while treating citizens fairly and making the best use of taxpayer resources.
While progress has been made, I believe there is still important work to be done to ensure that implementation is fair, transparent, affordable, and focused on achieving meaningful water-quality improvements for Vermonters.
My Approach to Natural Resources and Energy
My perspective on natural resources and energy was shaped long before I became Vice Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee.
As a Deputy Game Warden, I worked directly with hunters, anglers, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout Vermont. I saw firsthand how conservation efforts succeed when government works with citizens rather than against them.
As a farmer, I understand the challenges facing those who work the land and depend upon it for their livelihood.
As a military officer, I learned the importance of balancing mission requirements with available resources and ensuring that policies are practical, achievable, and sustainable.
As a landowner, I have personally navigated the Act 250 process and experienced firsthand the challenges that Vermont citizens often face when working through complex regulatory requirements.
I have also advocated on behalf of local sportsmen and women when regulatory decisions threatened long-standing community institutions. One example involved a local fish and game club whose marksmanship range faced closure following an Act 250 Jurisdictional Opinion. Working through that process reinforced my belief that regulatory systems should be transparent, predictable, and based upon clear standards that citizens can understand and follow.
Areas of Focus
- Water quality and stormwater implementation
- Energy affordability and electric rates
- Act 181 implementation and S.325 reforms
- Fish and wildlife management
- Forestry and working lands
- Current Use and land stewardship
- Property rights and regulatory transparency
- Government accountability and implementation oversight
Looking Ahead
Vermont faces significant challenges in balancing environmental stewardship, affordable energy, housing needs, economic growth, and protection of our natural resources.
I remain committed to working with citizens, municipalities, businesses, farmers, foresters, sportsmen, conservation organizations, and state agencies to find practical solutions that protect Vermont’s environment while preserving the affordability and quality of life that make our state unique.
The work continues.