Franklin County Farm Settles Water Quality Case for $78,000
Summary
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced a $78,000 civil penalty settlement with Jacques Parent and others for alleged water quality violations at a large farm operation in Franklin County. The settlement resolves claims brought on behalf of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Agency of Natural Resources. Violations included spreading manure on snow, discharging to surface waters, improper silage leachate management, failure to maintain vegetative buffer strips, and using an uncertified manure pit.
What changed
The Vermont Attorney General reached a settlement with Jacques Parent for alleged water quality violations at a Franklin County farm. Violations included spreading manure on snow, discharging to surface waters, failing to properly manage silage leachate, failing to maintain vegetative buffer strips, and using a manure pit that was not properly certified. The settlement requires the farm to pay $78,000 in civil penalties and implement corrective actions.
Agricultural firms operating in Vermont, particularly large farm operations, should ensure compliance with Vermont's Required Agricultural Practices and Large Farm Operations Rules. Failure to maintain proper vegetative buffer strips, manage manure properly, and avoid discharging to surface waters can result in significant civil penalties and mandatory corrective measures. Farms should review their current practices for managing manure, silage, and runoff near waterways.
What to do next
- Pay civil penalty of $78,000
- Implement corrective actions to address water quality violations
Penalties
$78,000 civil penalty
Archived snapshot
Apr 17, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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Attorney General’s Office Settles Agricultural Water Quality Case
Category Press Releases April 16, 2026 Franklin County farm to pay civil penalties of $78,000 and implement corrective actions
Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a settlement with Jacques Parent and others for alleged water quality violations at a large farm operation in Franklin County. The settlement resolves claims brought by the Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Agency of Natural Resources.
The agencies identified numerous violations at the farm including spreading manure on snow and discharging to surface waters, failing to properly manage silage leachate, failing to maintain vegetative buffer strips designed to protect nearby waterways, and using a manure pit that wasn’t property certified. The settlement papers allege these activities violated Vermont’s Required Agricultural Practices, Large Farm Operations Rules, and a statutory prohibition against water pollution discharges. To address the alleged violations, Mr. Parent will pay a civil penalty of $78,000, and the farm will implement corrective actions to address the areas of concern.
“We all know how important it is to keep Vermont’s waterways clean and safe,” said Attorney General Clark. “I appreciate the Agencies’ work on this case and the farm’s willingness to take responsibility.”
The settlement was filed with the Franklin Superior Court. The Court signed the settlement order on April 13, 2026. A copy of the Court’s order is available on our website.
CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171
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