VT S0100

Clarifies the Secretary of Natural Resources' authority to regulate, permit, and enforce pollutant discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), establishing a Vermont Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) CAFO program consistent with the federal Clean Water Act

Defines three CAFO categories based on animal numbers: large CAFOs (e.g., 700+ mature dairy animals, 2,500+ swine over 55 lbs), medium CAFOs (e.g., 200-699 mature dairy animals), and small CAFOs designated by the Secretary as significant pollutant contributors

Requires the Secretary to issue an amended Medium CAFO General Permit by December 15, 2025, and an individual CAFO application and permit by July 1, 2026, with mandatory nutrient management plans included in permits for public comment

Mandates stakeholder engagement by September 1, 2025 to gather input on CAFO rules, with a report due to legislative committees by January 15, 2026 assessing whether regulatory authority should be consolidated under one agency

Replaces the existing memorandum of understanding between the Agency of Natural Resources and Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets with a new document clarifying their respective Clean Water Act implementation roles, to be reviewed every five years