1970
At the urging of Governor Deane Davis, the Vermont Legislature passes Act 250, adopts the Vermont Water Pollution Control Act to achieve and maintain the state’s water quality standards, and establishes what would later be named the Agency of Natural Resources.

1972
The Water Resources Board establishes secondary treatment as the minimum acceptable degree of treatment for the State of Vermont.

1972
Congress passes the Clean Water Act.

1974
Congress passes the Safe Drinking Water Act, giving EPA the authority to set drinking water standards, monitor water quality, and order the installation of treatment plants.

1978
Vermont bans phosphorus detergent.

1985
The Vermont Legislature designates all streams and ponds higher than 2,500 feet in elevation as Class A waters with “significant ecological value” and grants the Water Resources Board authority to adopt rules to protect significant wetlands.

1990
Congress passes the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act to create a comprehensive pollution prevention, control, and restoration plan for protecting Lake Champlain.

1990
Vermont achieves secondary treatment of wastewater at all sewage treatment plants across the state.

1999
The Agency of Natural Resources establishes the Watershed Improvement Project, an initiative to improve water quality on a watershed basis with broad public participation.

2000
The Vermont Legislature updates statutory requirements for stormwater management and mandates completion of all basin plans by January 1, 2006.