10 V.S.A. § 901: Water resources management policy

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State that:

(1) the water resources of the State shall be protected; regulated; and, where necessary, controlled under authority of the State in the public interest and to promote the general welfare;

(2) the wetlands of the State shall be protected, regulated, and restored so that Vermont achieves a net gain of wetlands acreage; and

(3) regulation and management of the water resources of the State, including wetlands, should be guided by science, and authorized activities in water resources and wetlands should have a net environmental benefit to the State.