Section 23b - Waterfowl Boundary Rule1.0 Authority 1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081. In adopting this rule, the Fish and Wildlife Board is following the policy established by the General Assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife and furbearing animals in this State is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of the State requires a constant and continual vigilance.1.2 10 V.S.A. § 4082(a) states: "The Board may adopt rules, under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, to be known as the 'Vermont fish and wildlife regulations' for the regulation of fish and wild game and the taking thereof except as otherwise specifically provided by law. The rules shall be designed to maintain the best health, population and utilization levels of the regulated species . . ."1.3 The Board's authority to permit the taking of migratory game birds is a found at 10 V.S.A. § 4082(b) and at 50 CFR, Parts 20 and 21.2.0 Purpose The purpose of this rule is to establish zones for the taking of waterfowl during the prescribed waterfowl season(s).3.0 Zone Descriptions 3.1 Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of the line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu River to the Canadian border.3.2 Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to US 2; east along US 2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian border.3.3 Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of the Interior Zone. The waterfowl season regulations for the Connecticut River Zone will be the same as the New Hampshire Inland Zone and will be set annually by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Figure 1. Proposed change in Vermont Waterfowl Zone Boundary. New boundary outlined in red.
Added 2011, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. eff. 7/3/2011.