Vt. opening up some public land to sugar makers

The state of Vermont is opening eight sites on state land to maple sugar making, giving interested syrup makers until July 10 to get their applications in.

The sites are in Groton State Forest, in Groton; Elmore State Park, in Elmore; Mt. Mansfield State Forest, in Stowe; Coolidge State Forest, in Plymouth; Okemo State Forest, in Mount Holly; Putnam State Forest, in Grafton; and Queechee State Park, in Hartford.

There are two sites in Coolidge State Forest.

The fee is $50, plus an annual charged based on the number of taps used.

Applications will be approved by September. If there's more than one qualified applicant for a site, the state Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will pick the winner by lottery.