[Sustain] Groundwater protection bill goes to governor

Groundwater protection bill goes to governor May 2008 U.S. Water News Online MONTPELIER, Vt. -- It's up to Gov. Jim Douglas now whether to sign into law a bill that would designate Vermont's groundwater aquifers a public trust like its lakes and rivers and require a state permit for large withdrawals of groundwater. The Vermont House has passed legislation that would require a permit for withdrawals of more than 40 gallons per minute, or 57,400 gallons per day. Backers of the legislation said the average Vermont family uses about 400 gallons a day. The public trust provision basically says groundwater is not owned by one person but by and for all Vermonters, and that the state must manage it as a public resource.