Welcome to DEC | Department of Environmental Conservation
Source: https://dec.vermont.gov
Archived: 2026-04-23 14:59
Welcome to DEC | Department of Environmental Conservation
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Watershed Management Division
The division’s primary mission is to protect, maintain, enhance and restore the quality of Vermont's surface water resources; for 800 lakes and ponds; 23,000 miles of rivers and streams; and 300,000 acres of wetlands.
Learn More
Water Investment Division
Home to the Clean Water Initiative, Water Infrastructure Financing, Watershed Planning, Dam Safety, and Agency Facilities Engineering Programs; staff administers funding programs, develops plans for water basins, assists municipalities, and provides project engineering and implementation services.
Learn More
Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division
The Division manages Vermont’s drinking water supplies, protects the quality and quantity of Vermont’s groundwater resources, and regulates wastewater disposal activities that could adversely affect groundwater.
Learn More
Air Quality and Climate Division
AQCD implements Clean Air Acts by monitoring and regulating air quality and air pollution sources.
Learn More
Waste Management and Prevention Division
The Waste Management and Prevention Division oversees the use, treatment and handling of hazardous and solid wastes.
Learn More
Geology Division
The Geology Division protects public health and safety through geologic mapping and identification of natural hazards.
Learn More
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Home
About DEC
Contact Us
Administration and Innovation
Air Quality and Climate
Drinking Water and Groundwater
Environmental Assistance
Environmental Enforcement
Geological Survey
Waste Management and Prevention
Water Investment
Watershed Management
Commissioner’s Office
Permits and Certifications
Funding Opportunities
Maps and GIS
Laws and Regulations
Village Wastewater Solutions Initiative
Vermont PFAS
VAEL Laboratory
VTWARN
Agency of Natural Resources
Lake Carmi
You may now submit permit applications, compliance reports and fee payments through new online forms, links to the forms are below and may also be found on specific Division pages:
Air Quality and Climate Division Form
Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division Form
Waste Management and Prevention Division Form
Watershed Management Division Form
New Permit Navigator Tool Available
The Agency of Natural Resources has developed a
Permit Navigator
to assist in determining what permits may be needed for projects being planned. Use the site to learn about various Agency permits.
Air Quality
Real-time air quality monitoring around the state.
DEC Topics A-Z
Find more about all the Department's programs.
Clean Water Initiative
Addressing Vermont’s water quality restoration targets.
Environmental Notice Bulletin
Follow projects through the public notice process.
Get Flood Ready!
Damage prevention and emergency assistance.
Geology
Explore Vermont’s geology in maps, photos, and more.
PFAS and PFOA Information
Vermont's response to PFAS & PFOA contamination.
Compost and Recycling
How to reduce waste, compost, and recycle.
Septic System Search
Retreive individual septic system plans and permits.
Village Wastewater Initiative
Find out about implementing village wastewater solutions.
Well Information
Find well depths and other information.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s mission is to preserve, enhance, restore and conserve Vermont’s natural resources and protect human health for the benefit of this and future generations. The DEC, along with the
Department of Fish and Wildlife
and the
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
, is part of the
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
.
Visit the Permit Navigator
Find Funding Opportunities
Get Permit and Notice Information
Report a Potential Environmental Violation
Review Environmental Rules and Regulations
Search DEC Data and Publications
How Do I...
Get permit assistance?
Contact DEC staff?
Learn about shorelands?
Learn about proposed rules?
Report a spill or release?
Find a job or internship?
Test my drinking water?
View ANR NR Atlas?
Find a DEC Hotline?
Request a public record?
Find Vermont's Use of Public Waters Rules?
News
April 15, 2026
Vermonters Asked to Track and Report Surface Water Withdrawals
April 8, 2026
Vermont DEC’s Guide to Spring Cleaning
April 6, 2026
How to Season Firewood and Cut Costs, Smoke, and Fuel Use
Upcoming Events
April 30, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings
May 6, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings
May 13, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings
Skip to main content
Watershed Management Division
The division’s primary mission is to protect, maintain, enhance and restore the quality of Vermont's surface water resources; for 800 lakes and ponds; 23,000 miles of rivers and streams; and 300,000 acres of wetlands.
Learn More
Water Investment Division
Home to the Clean Water Initiative, Water Infrastructure Financing, Watershed Planning, Dam Safety, and Agency Facilities Engineering Programs; staff administers funding programs, develops plans for water basins, assists municipalities, and provides project engineering and implementation services.
Learn More
Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division
The Division manages Vermont’s drinking water supplies, protects the quality and quantity of Vermont’s groundwater resources, and regulates wastewater disposal activities that could adversely affect groundwater.
Learn More
Air Quality and Climate Division
AQCD implements Clean Air Acts by monitoring and regulating air quality and air pollution sources.
Learn More
Waste Management and Prevention Division
The Waste Management and Prevention Division oversees the use, treatment and handling of hazardous and solid wastes.
Learn More
Geology Division
The Geology Division protects public health and safety through geologic mapping and identification of natural hazards.
Learn More
Previous
Pause
Next
1
of
7
Home
About DEC
Contact Us
Administration and Innovation
Air Quality and Climate
Drinking Water and Groundwater
Environmental Assistance
Environmental Enforcement
Geological Survey
Waste Management and Prevention
Water Investment
Watershed Management
Commissioner’s Office
Permits and Certifications
Funding Opportunities
Maps and GIS
Laws and Regulations
Village Wastewater Solutions Initiative
Vermont PFAS
VAEL Laboratory
VTWARN
Agency of Natural Resources
Lake Carmi
You may now submit permit applications, compliance reports and fee payments through new online forms, links to the forms are below and may also be found on specific Division pages:
Air Quality and Climate Division Form
Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division Form
Waste Management and Prevention Division Form
Watershed Management Division Form
New Permit Navigator Tool Available
The Agency of Natural Resources has developed a
Permit Navigator
to assist in determining what permits may be needed for projects being planned. Use the site to learn about various Agency permits.
Air Quality
Real-time air quality monitoring around the state.
DEC Topics A-Z
Find more about all the Department's programs.
Clean Water Initiative
Addressing Vermont’s water quality restoration targets.
Environmental Notice Bulletin
Follow projects through the public notice process.
Get Flood Ready!
Damage prevention and emergency assistance.
Geology
Explore Vermont’s geology in maps, photos, and more.
PFAS and PFOA Information
Vermont's response to PFAS & PFOA contamination.
Compost and Recycling
How to reduce waste, compost, and recycle.
Septic System Search
Retreive individual septic system plans and permits.
Village Wastewater Initiative
Find out about implementing village wastewater solutions.
Well Information
Find well depths and other information.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s mission is to preserve, enhance, restore and conserve Vermont’s natural resources and protect human health for the benefit of this and future generations. The DEC, along with the
Department of Fish and Wildlife
and the
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
, is part of the
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
.
Visit the Permit Navigator
Find Funding Opportunities
Get Permit and Notice Information
Report a Potential Environmental Violation
Review Environmental Rules and Regulations
Search DEC Data and Publications
How Do I...
Get permit assistance?
Contact DEC staff?
Learn about shorelands?
Learn about proposed rules?
Report a spill or release?
Find a job or internship?
Test my drinking water?
View ANR NR Atlas?
Find a DEC Hotline?
Request a public record?
Find Vermont's Use of Public Waters Rules?
News
April 15, 2026
Vermonters Asked to Track and Report Surface Water Withdrawals
April 8, 2026
Vermont DEC’s Guide to Spring Cleaning
April 6, 2026
How to Season Firewood and Cut Costs, Smoke, and Fuel Use
Upcoming Events
April 30, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings
May 6, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings
May 13, 2026
Vermont Rivers & Roads Tier 2 and Tier 3 Trainings