Play Safe, Paddle Safe, Volunteer Safe.

Written By Bethel Strong

Use Caution Recreating, Consider Volunteering

Planning to get outdoors this weekend? Be sure to swim, paddle, bike and hike safely. The water may be down, but the Agency of Natural Resources still wants to be sure you know the risks and conditions before you go. See the full press release for links to trail conditions, water conditions, state park openings and more. Watch for trail closings, unsafe water conditions and more.

Looking for other options? Many Vermont communities still desperately need help with cleanup.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – July 21, 2023

 

Contact:

Stephanie Brackin, Communications Coordinator

Agency of Natural Resources

802-261-0606, stephanie.brackin@vermont.gov

 

Montpelier, VT – As many Vermonters work to get “clean and dry” after the flood, others are hoping to get outdoors and return to their favorite trails, parks, and recreation access points. The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), and officials from across the state, are asking the public to use caution and common sense if they plan to recreate outside this weekend.

Please keep in mind that it is still not business as usual when it comes to outdoor recreation, and especially on Vermont rivers and streams.

Avoid flood and turbid water. It is not safe to wade, swim, fish, or boat in Vermont’s rivers or streams until flows return to normal, even in areas that are not posted with notices to avoid contact. State waterways and residual floodwaters could contain pathogens from partially treated and untreated discharges of sewage from public and private wastewater systems that may cause illness. Turbid waters may also contain flood debris which pose a hazard to anglers, boaters, and swimmers.

 

Know before you go.

 

Use caution. ANR staff are checking recreation access points and posting closures or warnings, as needed. Riverbanks may still be saturated with water and unstable. Trails may be muddy or blocked by fallen trees. Roads and parking areas may be damaged by floodwater.

If you encounter hazardous conditions at any recreation location, please avoid the area and do not attempt any repairs yourself.

Plan to volunteer. If conditions do not warrant hiking, biking, or other recreation, consider volunteering. Visit Vermont.gov/Volunteer to register and get connected to where there is the greatest need. You may also join local volunteer efforts in your region.

For more information on flood recovery resources and information from the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Department, or the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, visit https://ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood.

 

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Non-Discrimination Notice:

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) operates its programs, services, and activities without discriminating on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, place of birth, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or breastfeeding (mother and child).

 

Language Access Notice:

QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS/FREE LANGUAGE SERVICES ǀ SERVICES LINGUISTIQUES GRATUITS | भाषासम्बन्धी नि:शुल्क सेवाहरू ǀ SERVICIOS GRATUITOS DE IDIOMAS ǀ 免費語言服務 | BESPLATNE JEZIČKE USLUGE ǀ БЕСПЛАТНЫЕ УСЛУГИ ПЕРЕВОДА | DỊCH VỤ NGÔN NGỮ MIỄN PHÍ ǀ 無料通訳サービス ǀ ነጻየቋንቋ አገልግሎቶች | HUDUMA ZA MSAADA WA LUGHA BILA MALIPO | BESPLATNE JEZIČKE USLUGE | အခမဲ့ ဘာသာစကား ဝန်ဆောင်မှုများ | ADEEGYO LUUQADA AH OO BILAASH AH  ǀ خدمات لغة مجانية:anr.civilrights@vermont.gov or 802-636-7827.

 

 

Read the press release online.

 

Bethel Strong
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