2008 EAST MONTPELIER TOWN MEETING RESOLUTION AS ADOPTED
Section 1. The Town declares a temporary prohibition on any person, partnership, corporation or syndicate withdrawing water from the Town in any amount exceeding 10,000 gallons per day. The purpose of such temporary prohibition shall be to allow the citizens of the Town adequate time to gather information regarding the impact of such withdrawals on the citizens and natural resources of the Town. The prohibition shall stay in effect until March 31, 2011. "Withdrawing water" shall include, but not be limited to, collection, extraction, piping, transport or sale of groundwater, surface water or spring water from the Town and its movement outside the Town. Such moratorium shall not apply to lawful withdrawals of water that were occurring on a regular basis during the twelve months preceding passage of this resolution. The prohibition is not intended to apply to use of water within the Town, including traditional agricultural uses such as propagation and growth of trees, fruits or vegetables, and care of livestock.
Section 2. Regardless of the enforceability of Section 1 of this article, the citizens of the Town direct the planning commission and the selectboard to take all steps necessary to realize the intent of Section 1, that is, a three year and three week prohibition on withdrawing water as defined and described in Section 1 for the purpose of allowing citizens adequate time to gather information.