Vermont Statutes Title 10. Conservation and Development, § 4605. Placing fish in waters; fish importation permits

(a) A person shall not introduce or attempt to introduce any fish into any waters except private ponds lacking access to other waters of the State without a permit issued by the Commissioner under this section or rules adopted by the Commissioner under subsection (c) of this section.

(b) A person shall not bring into the State for the purpose of planting or introducing, or to plant or introduce, into any of the inland or outlying waters of the State any live fish or the live spawn thereof, unless, upon application in writing therefor, the person obtains from the Commissioner a permit so to do.

(c) The Commissioner may, by rule:

(d) Applicants shall pay a permit fee of $50.00. The Commissioner or duly authorized agents shall make such investigation and inspection of the fish as they may deem necessary, and then the importation permit may be granted pursuant to regulations that the Board shall prescribe. The Commissioner may waive the permit fee required under this subsection for organizations cooperating or partnering with the Department. The Commissioner or duly authorized agents shall make a determination on the permit within 10 days of receiving the application. The Department may dispose of unlawfully imported fish as it may judge best, and the State may collect damages from the violator of this subsection for all expenses incurred.

(e) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Board, the Commissioner, or their duly authorized agents from bringing into the State for the purpose of planting, introducing, or stocking, or from planting, introducing, or stocking any fish in the State.

(f) In any permit issued under this section, the Commissioner may include conditions that ensure the health and safety of Vermont's fish population.