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WHITINGHAM â The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation issued a $5,250 penalty to a landowner and their hired contractor after the landowner directed their contractor to remove over 4,800 square feet of vegetation within 25 feet of the shoreline of Lake Sadawga, violating Vermontâs Shoreland Protection Act. As part of the penalty, DEC required the landowner and contractor to reestablish the vegetation that was removed.
This is the second penalty issued for vegetation removal along Lake Sadawga. On June 8, 2020, the DEC issued a $4,000 fine to another landowner and contractor for removing over 5,900 square feet of vegetation within 25 feet of the shoreline and an additional 10,000 square feet within 250 feet of the shoreline. In both cases, the landowner violated Vermontâs Shoreland Protection Act. Both properties along Lake Sadawga are in the process of restoration, which takes time. Returning the shoreline to a naturally forested area will provide long-term benefits to Lake Sadawga by stabilizing the shoreline, preventing erosion, protecting water quality, and providing habitat for Vermontâs wildlife.