Вермонт штатының жер пайдалану және даму заңы: Act 250 туралы

Act 250, Vermont's Land Use and Development Act, 10 V. S. A. § 6001 et seq., is a law passed in 1970 by the Vermont legislature designed to mitigate the effects of development through an application process that addresses the environmental and community impacts of projects that exceed a threshold in size.

Development pressures resulting from the opening of two interstate highways (I 89 and I 91) made access to the state much easier for year round visitors, creating community concerns including road congestion, increased environmental problems, burden on local services, and rising taxes. Governor Deane C. Davis appointed a study commission chaired by state representative Arthur Gibb in 1969 to develop a statewide law to address these concerns, as no environmental regulations or land use controls existed. A major contributor to the construction of the law was Laura G. Wheeler, in consultation with then Vermont Attorney General James Jeffords.

The law created nine District Environmental Commissions to review large scale development projects using 10 criteria that are designed to safeguard the environment, community life, and aesthetic character of the state. They have the power to issue or deny a permit to real estate developers for any project that encompasses more than 10 acres (40,000 m2), or more than one acre (4,000 m2) for towns that do not have permanent zoning and subdivision bylaws. The law also applies to any development project with more than 10 housing units or housing lots; and may also apply for construction proposed above 2500 feet (762 m) of elevation. Act 250 also created the Vermont Environmental Board to review appeals coming from District Commission rulings.

The law has been controversial since its implementation. It is often costly to implement restrictions placed on commercial projects. In his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Governor Jim Douglas ran on a platform that included restructuring Act 250. It has been known as the "third rail" of Vermont politics. In 2023, state senator Ann Cummings argued that it has been more controversial than Vermont's civil unions law passed in 2000. She claimed that the law brought about the number one challenge Vermont faces which is whether it wants to be a "state or a theme park".

ACT 250: A Guide to Vermont's Land Use Law. State of Vermont Environmental Board, Montpelier, VT (USA), November 2000. Times Argus news story illustrating some of the pitfalls of Act 250 and the pervasive legislative opposition to ACT 250 reforms.