Publications

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General

VERMONT ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT, VNRC. A magazine focused on what's happening as it affects the natural world of Vermont. VNRC also produces the VNRC Bulletin, bringing members up-to-date on current issues. VER back issues are also available.  Hard copies are free with membership, or you can download recent editions here.

Forests

OLD GROWTH FORESTS - A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW, 2005. VNRC published a comprehensive literature review pertaining to the ecological characteristics of old-growth forests in Eastern North America. Download a free copy here, or contact VNRC for a hard copy - $5 includes shipping.

TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: THE VERMONT CONNECTION, VNRC, 1992. Offers one hundred pages of middle school curriculum materials and ideas, developed by the Vermont Natural Resources Council under a grant from the National Wildlife Federation. $6.00 plus s/h.

WORCESTER MOUNTAIN PROJECT: AN ECONOMIC PICTURE OF THE FOREST INDUSTRY IN THE WORCESTER RANGE, VNRC, 1991. A report detailing the forest industry in and around the Worcester range, including logging operations and primary and secondary wood processors. Free plus s/h.

Sustainable Communities

General

CITIZEN ACTION GUIDE, VNRC, 1992. This guide is a valuable resource for towns and individuals seeking advice on what to do when unwanted development comes to town. Tips include a citizen's guide to Act 250 and Act 200, facts on water, conservation, bibliographies, and many more resources. $4.50 plus s/h.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING TRANSMISSION FACILITIES IN VERMONT, VNRC, 1997. This report, intended for citizens, legislators and municipal officers, serves as an update on the telecommunications industry. It covers public health issues, deployment in Vermont, the legal framework and an environmental perspective.  Download a free copy here, or order a hard copy for $6.00 plus s/h.

Taxation

TAX REFORM THAT AGREES WITH VERMONT, 2005, by Gary Flomenhoft, Evangelos Germeles, and the Vermont Fair Tax Coalition. The report describes how shifting taxes can support activities society wants to discourage, such as those that increase pollution and spur sprawl. The report outlines strategies and recommendations which would use the power of taxes to encourage activities which would provide lasting benefits for our economy and environment. Click here to download a free copy. $5.00 plus s/h.

THE LAND USE - PROPERTY TAX CONNECTION, Deb Brighton & Brenda Hausauer for VNRC and VLCT, 2002. This publication is a guide and workbook on the tax implications of development in Vermont. $12.00 plus $4.00 s/h. Click here to download a free copy.

TAXING POLLUTION, Rebecca Ramos & Deb Brighton for VNRC, 2000. Research shows that taxing pollution and reducing taxes can produce economic vitality and environmental protection with social equity. To download this publication in pdf form, click here. (In order to view and print this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download a free copy.)

RUNNING WITH THE LAND: THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF VERMONT'S USE VALUE APPRAISAL PROGRAM, Rebecca Basch, 1996. A white paper the provides the public and decision makers with an historical and future-oriented look at property taxation and the Use Value Appraisal Program (Current Use program) in Vermont, along with alternative strategies used in other states. 50 pp. $3.50 plus s/h.

ENVIRONMENTAL TAXES IN NEW ENGLAND, for Vermont Law School by Janet E. Milne and Susan Hasson, 1995. An inventory of environmental tax and fee mechanisms enacted by the New England States and New York. Free plus s/h.

TAXATION OF LAND SUBJECT TO CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN VERMONT: A LISTENER'S GUIDE, Deb Brighton and Davis Cable, 1992. Workbook prepared for conservation easement workshops; provides practical information for listers, town officials, and landowners on hot-to-list conserved land for property tax purposes. $2.50 plus s/h.

THE TAX BASE AND THE TAX BILL, Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) & VNRC, 1990. A workbook used to help public officials and citizens project the direct costs and revenues associated with proposed developments in their towns and estimate the effect on the tax rate. $1.50 plus s/h.

Wal-Mart

ECONOMIC, FISCAL, AND LAND USE IMPACTS OF PROPOSED WAL-MART STORE ON FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMUNITIES, Thomas Muller and Elizabeth Humstone, 1994. To download this document in pdf form, click here.

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND ORDER, Vermont Environmental Board, December 1994. Findings of the Environmental Board on the St. Albans Wal-Mart Decision. $3.00 plus s/h.

BACK AGAINST THE WAL, 18 min. video. Produced by Ann Cousins and Townsend Anderson; written & narrated by Pulitzer prize winning commentator, Ron Powers, 1994. VNRC and the Preservation Trust of Vermont present a new videotape that documents the effects of Wal-Mart-type development on small rural communities in the Midwest and Texas. The video poses questions: "What happens to the local tax base when businesses lose out to giant national discount chains? What does it cost to bring back a downtown? Who is paying the price-tag? Who takes over community services that traditionally relied on local merchants' involvement?" $8.00 plus s/h.

Act 250

THE VALUABLE ROLE OF CITIZENS IN ACT 250, VNRC, 1999. This paper explores the five most frequently voiced criticisms of citizen involvement in the Act 250 process. The criticisms are countered with factual information and arguments demonstrating the importance of direct citizen involvement. Includes case studies, an overview of the current system of public involvement and a summary of Act 250 appeals. Download a free copy here, or order a hard copy for free plus s/h.

SO GOES VERMONT, 23 minutes video, VNRC, 1993 edition. So Goes Vermont was created as a slide-tape presentation in 1971 by the VNRC "EPIC" Project in order to increase public understanding of Vermont's growth issues and the newly enacted Act 250. A powerful portrait of Vermonters and their issues (focuses on Quechee Lakes and Theron Boyd), and perhaps even more compelling today. This video is an excellent opener for land use discussions. $8.00 plus s/h.

MADE IN VERMONT: THE DIVIDENDS OF ACT 250, 20 minute video, VNRC, 1993. A videotape showing Act 250's impact, in the words of Vermonters who have had experiences with the law. A diverse range of business people, including Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's, former VT Development Secretary Elbert Moulton, and banker Zoe Erdman, present their views on Act 250's importance to Vermont's economy. In addition, citizens who have protected their homes and businesses through Act 250 speak about the importance of public participation. $8.00 plus s/h.

ACT 250: A POSITIVE ECONOMIC FORCE FOR VERMONT, VNRC, 1992. This paper sets out the relevant evidence to support that Act 250 is a valuable economic asset. It explores the fallacy of the "negative impact theory" and the nature and extent of the positive relationship between Act 250 and Vermont's economy. Download a free copy here, or order a hard copy for free plus s/h.

Water

LOWER LAMOILLE RIVER HISTORY, Jeff Fellinger for VNRC, 2000. A history of the lower Lamoille River with references to the Peterson Dam. To download this publication in pdf form, click here. 

THE CLEAN WATER ACT - AN OWNER'S MANUAL, River Network, 1999. $4.50 plus s/h.

RIVER REGULATIONS, VNRC, 1990. Provides planning tools for local municipalities which can then be modified to become part of a municipality's zoning ordinance. The report provides guidelines for establishing a river overlay district. $2.00 plus s/h.

Energy

TOWN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION GUIDE, VECAN, 2007. Guides citizens interested in starting an energy or climate action committee in their Vermont town or city.  To download this publication in pdf form, click here.

GUIDE TO MUNICIPAL ENERGY PLANNING, Vermont Department of Public Service, 1993. To download this publication in pdf form, click here

EARTHRIGHT INSTITUTE'S GUIDE TO TOWN ENERGY PLANNING IN VERMONT (with Model Town Energy Plan), 1992. To download this publication in pdf form, click here.  

TOWN ENERGY PLANNING: A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION, Paul Markowitz. To download this publication in pdf form, click here.