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25-457: The Vermont Land Trust was founded in 1977 by a group of citizens concerned about the rapidly accelerating development that threatened open space in Vermont. The founding group feared that state legislation Act 250 and local zoning was not strong enough to protect the rural character of the state. The trust provides the money to purchase undeveloped land when necessary. It then protects the land with

50-579: A bill allowing marriage for same-sex couples in Vermont . Democrats in the Vermont House and Senate overrode the veto with a supermajority the next day, marking the first time Douglas had been overridden during his tenure. On June 2, 2009, Democrats in the Vermont House and Senate voted to override Douglas's veto of the Vermont state budget. On August 27, 2009, Douglas announced that he would not seek re-election in 2010. In early 2010, Douglas became

75-702: A fifth term in 2010. He left the office in January 2011. On January 6, 2011, Douglas became an executive in residence at Middlebury College where he taught a 24 student course titled Vermont Government and Politics . Douglas is the interim director of the Vermont Historical Society . Douglas currently serves on the Governors' Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Douglas

100-544: A fourth term with nearly 54% of the vote. Although that was his lowest percentage since his initial narrow victory over Doug Racine, he bested his closest challenge, Pollina, by 32%. Douglas became the first governor to meet with President Barack Obama in the White House on February 2, 2009. He also served as Chairman of the National Governors Association from 2009 to 2010. On April 6, 2009, Douglas vetoed

125-487: A similar bill in 2006, Douglas worked with legislators to craft a new bill in 2007. This bill passed both chambers of the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. Douglas decided to stand for re-election in 2008 and ran unopposed in the Republican primary on September 9, 2008. His principal challengers in the general election were Independent/ Progressive Anthony Pollina , and Democrat Gaye Symington . Douglas won

150-555: A sister-state relationship with the Republic of Karelia , Russia until it was broken by Governor Phil Scott in March 2022 as protest against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine . While influenced by Douglas, this relationship was started in 1991 under the governorship of Madeleine Kunin . In November 1972, Douglas was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives , where he became

175-400: A special easement which prevents development. It then sells the land to interested purchasers, which may be the state government. In selling the land, the trust principal is continually renewed. The organization works with The Nature Conservancy . This Vermont -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about an environmental organization

200-473: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Act 250 Act 250 , Vermont's Land Use and Development Act, 10 V.S.A. § 6001 et seq., is a law passed in 1970 by the Vermont legislature designed to mitigate the effects of development through an application process that addresses the environmental and community impacts of projects that exceed a threshold in size. Development pressures resulting from

225-529: The Act 250 office must rely on the permit applicant to truthfully verify completion. Act 250 creators included Laura G. Wheeler of Barre Town, Vermont; then Attorney General James Jeffords , Howard Rusk of New York; Jeanne Garvin of Montpelier, Vermont ; and Lawrence Gurnette of Michigan. The intent of the Act was to create a more esthetic Vermont by protecting rivers, air, the forest's ability to support wildlife, and to preserve Vermont's natural resources. One concern

250-608: The Democratic nomination by write-in vote. In the general election, Douglas faced only token opposition, and received over 91% of the votes. Ruse's deputy had retired in October 1994. After Douglas won the treasurer's election, Ruse offered him the deputy's position so that Douglas would have an opportunity to learn the workings of the treasurer's office. Douglas accepted, and served as deputy state treasurer from November 1994 until beginning his term as treasurer in January 1995. Douglas

275-651: The House Majority Leader during his third two-year term at the age of 25. He left the Vermont General Assembly in 1979, afterwards serving as a top aide to Governor Richard A. Snelling . Douglas was elected Secretary of State in November 1980, a post which he held until 1992. That year he sought election to the U.S. Senate , but was defeated by Democratic incumbent Patrick Leahy . During his tenure as Vermont State Treasurer , Democrat Paul W. Ruse Jr.

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300-706: The Vermont Environmental Board to review appeals coming from District Commission rulings. The district commissions are: The 10 Criteria are as follows: The 10 criteria have changed little since the adoption of Act 250 in 1970. Efforts have been made over the years to make the permitting process work more efficiently, along with performance standards. Today, the District Commissions receive between 600 and 800 applications per year, and hold hearings on an average of 20% of these. They have an approval record of 98%, but this rate includes plans modified during

325-787: The construction of the law was Laura G. Wheeler, in consultation with then Vermont Attorney General James Jeffords . The law created nine District Environmental Commissions to review large-scale development projects using 10 criteria that are designed to safeguard the environment, community life, and aesthetic character of the state. They have the power to issue or deny a permit to real estate developers for any project that encompasses more than 10 acres (40,000 m ), or more than one acre (4,000 m ) for towns that do not have permanent zoning and subdivision bylaws. The law also applies to any development project with more than 10 housing units or housing lots; and may also apply for construction proposed above 2,500 feet (760 m) of elevation. Act 250 also created

350-644: The first American political leader to be appointed to the National Order of Quebec ("L'Ordre National du Quebec" in French ), receiving the insignia of an Officer of the order from Premier Jean Charest at a ceremony at the National Assembly of Quebec . He was recognized for strengthening Vermont's historical bonds with Quebec and making improved relations with the province a priority of his governorship. On June 17, 2010, his approval rating stood at 65%. Douglas

375-420: The hearing process, with conditions typically attached to permits when granted. Act 250 jurisdiction attaches forever to permits, except to permits for quarries and logging at elevations over 2,500 feet (760 m). These permits are allowed to close when the work required to complete them is complete. There is not sufficient funding to support personnel to verify proper completion of the required activity, so

400-431: The incumbent Vermont State Auditor , would not run for treasurer. Flanagan and Ruse had been involved in a behind the scenes dispute over details of an auditor's report about the treasurer's office; Flanagan disclaimed any interest in the treasurer's post. As a result of Ruse's decision not to run again, only Douglas had filed as a major party candidate for treasurer; in the absence of a Democratic candidate, Douglas won

425-400: The law brought about the number one challenge Vermont faces which is whether it wants to be a "state or a theme park". Jim Douglas James Holley Douglas (born June 21, 1951) is an American politician from the state of Vermont . A Republican , he served as the 80th governor of Vermont from 2003 to 2011. On August 27, 2009, Douglas announced that he would not seek re-election for

450-494: The open Senate seat to Sanders. Douglas was re-elected governor with 57% of the vote over Democrat Scudder Parker . On May 22, 2007, Governor Douglas signed a landmark civil rights bill banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity by employers, financial institutions, housing, public accommodations, and other contexts. After the Vermont Human Rights Commission recommended that Governor Douglas veto

475-503: The opening of two interstate highways ( I-89 and I-91 ) made access to the state much easier for year-round visitors, creating community concerns including road congestion, increased environmental problems, burden on local services, and rising taxes. Governor Deane C. Davis appointed a study commission chaired by state representative Arthur Gibb in 1969 to develop a statewide law to address these concerns, as no environmental regulations or land use controls existed. A major contributor to

500-460: The results. In January 2003, the legislature selected Douglas by a vote of 159 to 16. Douglas won reelection to a second 2-year term in 2004, defeating Democrat Peter Clavelle , 59 to 38%. In early 2005, Douglas announced that he would not run against Democratic-leaning independent Jim Jeffords in the 2006 Senate race. In April 2005, Jeffords announced that he would not seek re-election, which led to speculation that Douglas would throw his hat into

525-423: The ring against Vermont independent Congressman Bernie Sanders , who had announced his candidacy for the seat. On April 30, Douglas announced again that he would not seek Jeffords' seat, and simultaneously announced that he would run for re-election for governor in 2006. Many pundits believed that Douglas was the only Republican who could possibly defeat Sanders, and his decision to run for governor effectively handed

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550-537: Was born in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts . In 1968, he graduated from East Longmeadow High School in the town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts . He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College in Middlebury , Vermont, where he had been active in the College Republicans , eventually becoming chairman. At Middlebury College, Douglas was a Russian studies major. Vermont maintained

575-420: Was criticized for being too friendly with financial services firms that had an interest in matters handled by the state treasurer, including accepting campaign contributions from them, and appearing in an advertisement for one. Because of the controversy, in 1994 Ruse decided not to run for reelection. This decision was not widely known; Ruse stated that he withheld his decision not to run so that Ed Flanagan ,

600-533: Was forest conservation, and the prevention of excessive clear cutting. The law has been controversial since its implementation. It is often costly to implement restrictions placed on commercial projects. In his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Governor Jim Douglas ran on a platform that included restructuring Act 250. It has been known as the "third rail" of Vermont politics. In 2023, state senator Ann Cummings argued that it has been more controversial than Vermont's civil unions law passed in 2000. She claimed that

625-438: Was reelected in 1996, 1998 and 2000. In the 2002 gubernatorial election to succeed five-term Governor Howard Dean , Douglas achieved a plurality over Democratic Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine , 45 to 42%. The Vermont constitution requires that the legislature select the governor if no candidate receives over 50%. The Vermont General Assembly almost always chooses the candidate who won a plurality, and Racine did not contest

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