Phil Scott administration pushes through wetlands changes, despite lawmakers’ objections

A view of Class II wetlands in Essex on May 22, 2026. Legislators have rejected Gov. Phil Scott’s proposals around wetlands regulation, including reducing the buffer zone for housing. Photo by April McCullum/Vermont PublicCarly Berlin covers housing and infrastructure for Vermont Public, in partnership with VTDigger. Gov. Phil Scott’s administration is moving forward with rule changes that will make it easier to build housing near wetlands, despite repeated objections from lawm