Do you live on the shore of one of Vermont’s beautiful lakes and want to remove trees or shrubs to improve your view? Are you concerned a dead or dying tree along your shoreline may pose a risk to your property? Vermont is home to over 800 lakes and ponds and nearly 1,500 miles of shoreline. Did you know there are State regulations in place when it comes to managing trees on your shoreland property? Limbwalker Tree Service can not only provide tree removal services, but can assist you in navigating these regulations to keep you in compliance with the State while helping you achieve your goals in an environmentally sustainable way.
Approximately 45 percent of Vermont’s shoreline has been developed in a way that impacts water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. In July 2014, Vermont legislature passed the Shoreland Protection Act aimed to protect the remaining 55 percent of shoreline, specifically within 250 feet of a lake’s mean water level for all lakes greater than 10 acres in size. The intent is to allow for reasonable development along the shorelands while protecting aquatic habitat, water quality, and maintaining the natural stability of shorelines. One of the ways it accomplishes this is through a permitting process. The Act requires landowners to acquire a permit if they plan to build a new structure, add new impervious surfaces, or remove trees, shrubs, ground cover, or the leaf litter layer within a specified distance from the water body.
Maintaining a naturally vegetated shoreline buffer is essential for protecting lake water quality, ecosystems, and resiliency. A natural shoreline supports critical ecological functions of soil stability, water filtration, and nutrient cycling. The Shoreland Protection Act seeks to balance good shoreland management and shoreland development. Within the Protection Act, are Vegetative Protection Standards which outline what trees and shrubs can be removed in a defined area within a certain distance from a water body. There are exemptions including the removal of dead, diseased and hazardous trees. In some cases, if a shoreland owner proposes a tree removal and the standards if the Act can’t be met, the owner may be required to implement best management practices.
Limbwalker Tree Service can guide homeowners through the requirements and permitting processes under the Shoreland Protection Act. In addition, we can assist in utilizing best management practices as outlined by the State to ensure a healthy landscape and shoreline. Limbwalker has obtained a certification under the Natural Shoreline Erosion Control Program Course and is qualified to provide consulting services to homeowners who reside along Vermont’s lakes and ponds. If you are looking to perform any tree work around your lakeshore home and have questions about what is allowed under the Shoreland Protection Act or any related inquiries, we encourage you to reach out and talk with us.