For Release: Immediate
Regarding: LCBP Initiates the 2016 Boat Launch Steward Program
Date: February 10, 2016
Contact: Meg Modley, LCBP Aquatic Invasive Species Management Coordinator, (802) 372-3213
Grand Isle, VT – The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is hiring up to ten seasonal Lake Champlain boat launch stewards to work at New York and Vermont public boat launch access areas this summer. This will be the tenth season of boat launch stewards on Lake Champlain.
In 2015, LCBP stewards surveyed 12,555 boats and offered courtesy boat inspection to remove and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Stewards spoke to 26,306 visitors about steps they could take to ensure their boats and equipment were clean, drained, and dry.
“Of the boats surveyed between Memorial and Labor Day weekends, 9.9% were found to be transporting aquatic organisms,” said Meg Modley, LCBP Aquatic Invasive Species Management Coordinator. “All of those organisms were collected, identified, and recorded in a database confirming that overall 2.8% of the boats surveyed were transporting aquatic invasive species hitchhikers.”
Boat launch stewards helped Lake Champlain visitors better understand the importance of the message to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all boats, trailers and equipment. Eighty-nine percent of visitors to Lake Champlain reported that they are taking measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The boat launch steward program is designed to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species by identifying high risk boats and trailers for courtesy inspection and providing information about invasive species spread prevention.
For more information about the boat launch steward positions, visit our Careers page or contact Meg Modley at (802) 372-3213. Applications are due Friday, March 4, 2016.