MISSISQUOI WATERSHED POLLUTION REDUCTION EFFORTS INCREASING

 

Several projects to reduce phosphorus pollution to Missisquoi Bay are underway on both sides of the border. In Vermont, the LCBP has more than $200,000 in contract with Bordeaus & Bushey, Inc. to provide technical assistance to 30 small farms (less than 200 dairy cows) to create nutrient management plans. These plans are critical first steps in helping farmers reduce phosphorus contributions to the watershed. Funding for this project was provided through the International Joint Commission (IJC) by the initiative of Senator Leahy. In 2008, the LCBP anticipates an additional $300,000 from the IJC for a project to be specified later this year. An LCBP local grant is providing $64,000 to UVM Extension for training farmers to write their own nutrient management plans. These funds were made available in both the Missisquoi and St. Albans Bay watersheds.

In other great news, Quebec has received federal funds to compensate farmers for implementing eight meter (25 foot) buffers on agricultural lands in the Pike River watershed, which flows into Missisquoi Bay. This $1.4 million (CAD), two-year program will work with up to 78 farmers and address 25% of the agricultural land in the Quebec portion of the watershed. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has also energized and focused its Clean and Clear Action Plan on the northern lake. It is creating a detailed list of pollution reduction priorities in concert with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and its federal partners through the LCBP.

WATERSHED RESTORATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

 

Again this year, the LCBP is pleased to announce an Invitation for Letters of Request for Watershed Restoration Projects in the Lake Champlain Basin. Rather than cash awards, recipients will receive US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) services. Applicants must be governmental entities, or organizations representing governments having jurisdiction in the Lake Champlain Basin (New York or Vermont). The LCBP and USACE will hold a pre-application workshop on August 23, 2007 at 2:00pm at the LCBP offices in Grand Isle. For more information email Technical Associate Kris Joppe-Mercure at kjoppemercure@lcbp.org or view the application here.

Again this year, the LCBP is also supporting toxic blue-green algae monitoring by the University of Vermont and a citizen volunteer program to collect shoreline water samples that is organized by the Lake Champlain Committee. Data from both of these programs are used by the Vermont Department of Health to inform health advisories. For monitoring updates and links to health advisories click here. Annual technical reports for blue-green algae monitoring are available on-line on the LCBP's Publications Database.

RESEARCH SUGGESTS PHOSPHORUS SOURCES TO LAKE CHANGING 

 

The study indicated that forest areas comprise about 66% of the watershed's land use. "Agricultural" areas, which include fields and brush, comprise about 14% of the land use. "Urban" areas, including densely developed downtowns, as well as all roads, suburbs, and large-lot residential development, comprise about 5% of the basin land use. Water and wetlands cover the remaining area in the Basin. When the 2001 data was compared to the 1992 data, urban areas grew by almost 2% and agricultural lands decreased by about 5%. According to the new study, urban and suburban land contributed about 46% of the phosphorus runoff basin-wide to Lake Champlain and agricultural lands contributed about 38% in 2001. These proportions, however, varied greatly among the various sub-watersheds. For example, agricultural land use was still the greatest contributor of phosphorus (about 70%) in the Missisquoi Bay watershed. Read more about the study and download the complete report here, or for more information contact LCBP Technical Coordinator Molly Michaud at mmichaud@lcbp.org.

Updating the Lake Champlain Basin Land Use Data to Improve Prediction of Phosphorus Loading. Austin Troy, Deane Wang, David Capen, The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont and Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne and Sean MacFaden, Spatial Analysis Lab, The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont. May 2007. LCBP Technical Report #54.

We are pleased to welcome New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 Director, Betsy Lowe and John Sayles, Deputy Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. Ms. Lowe and Mr. Sayles will also alternate as chairs of the Executive Committee. To learn more about the Steering Committee and read approved minutes, click here.

2009 "QUAD" UPDATE

 

Planning for the 2009 Quadricentennial commemoration of Samuel de Champlain's visit to the region is in full swing. On June 13^th 240 people met at St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont to attend workshops about activities in New York, Vermont and Quebec, and participate in forums about commemoration themes including signature events at the Champlain Bridge, French and Quebec heritage in the ChamplainValley, Native American Culture and Heritage, and international arts, culture and pageantry.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum recently announced that it has been invited to sail the Lois McClure to the 2008 Quebec City celebration in to spread the word about events in this region in 2009. LCMM also just launched a birch-bark canoe made by Abenaki craftsman, Aaron York. Samuel de Champlain and his Native American guides used these lightweight vessels when they explored the region in 1609.

Guidelines for towns, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and events organizers to plan events and use the logo for 400^th anniversary celebrations in Vermont are now available on the Vermont Champlain Quadricentennial website. To learn more about planning for the "Quad" contact Jim Brangan, Recreation and Cultural Heritage Coordinator at jbrangan@lcbp.org. Links to "Quad" websites for New York, Vermont and Quebec commemorations are available here.