Leadership Changes at the LCBP

Eric Howe will build on the legacy of collaboration and consensus building established by Bill Howland.

This summer is a season of transition for the Lake Champlain Basin Program. After more than 17 years as director of the program, Bill Howland “graduated” to retirement on June 22. During that time, Bill was instrumental in building a program driven by sound science that brings together diverse stakeholders in collaboration. Starting this month, Eric Howe continues that legacy as the new director of the LCBP and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

During his tenure at the helm of the program, Bill led the development of the 2002 and 2010 versions of the Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action; facilitated the reconfirmation of three trilateral Memorandums of Understanding with New York, Vermont, and Québec in 2000, 2003, and 2010; oversaw the distribution of more than 4.8 million dollars in grant funds to local communities and organizations that conduct on-the-ground work to improve water quality; coordinated the development of 17 annual budgets with the LCBP Steering Committee; and served as Director of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership since 2006.

Senator Patrick Leahy recognized Bill’s leadership by reading a tribute into the Congressional Record, noting “his contributions to the conservation and restoration of Vermont’s jewel, Lake Champlain.” In May, Curt Spalding, Administrator for EPA’s New England Region, visited the LCBP office to recognize Bill “For 17 years of leadership of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and skillful diplomacy which resulted in stronger partnerships and countless actions to restore Lake Champlain.” Friends and colleagues bid adieu to Bill at a “graduation” reception, where a common theme among speakers was his ability to bring out the best in partners, stakeholders, and staff to move the protection of the Lake forward despite challenges and obstacles.

As the new director, Eric brings nearly 20 years of experience in water quality and watershed management issues in the Basin, having worked the past seven years as Technical Coordinator for the LCBP. Eric holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont, a B.S. at the State University of New York in Environmental and Forest Biology, and an A.A.S. from Paul Smith’s College in Ecology and Environmental Technology. Prior to joining the LCBP, he worked with the Darrin Fresh Water Institute of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Division.

The EPA’s Spalding said, “Eric brings experience working on Lake Champlain issues with local communities, environmental organizations, the research community, and state, federal and provincial leaders. EPA looks forward to working with him and the Steering Committee to focus on critical new challenges while building on previous LCBP successes.”

Monitoring Program Critical to Lake Health

LCBP staff collect plankton samples.

Each year between April and October, staff from LCBP, Vermont ANR and SUNY Plattsburgh can be found collecting water quality samples on Lake Champlain and in the tributaries that feed the Lake. Begun in 1990 as an effort to develop a phosphorus loading budget for the Lake, the Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Program provides a consistent, long-term data set that is critical for the sound science needed to better understand and manage water quality and ecosystem integrity on the Lake. 

The Program measures the overall health of Lake Champlain based on key ecosystem indicators to assess long-term effects of management actions and other environmental changes. The Program collects data from 15 sampling points in the Lake and from stations on 21 tributaries for a number of water quality parameters, and for biological health, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, mysids, and zebra mussel veligers. Staff also monitor the development of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, providing information for the Department of Health’s online blue-green algae tracker map.

The Program is a critical function supported and implemented by the LCBP each year with our partners. The data serve as the foundation for the LCBP’s State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report, and for numerous research projects and studies of Lake Champlain, many of which are also supported by the LCBP. Recent research based on this data include a study that links climate change and blue-green algae blooms (look for more details in the next e-news) and an assessment of the economic impacts of clean water (see below).

AIS Under Pressure

Courtesy inspections by boat launch stewards help prevent the spread of invasive species to Lake Champlain and other lakes.

LCBP has been working in partnership with Vermont DEC to pilot a high pressure hot water boat wash unit at Shelburne Bay to combat aquatic invasive species (AIS). The unit uses 140-degree water to clean boats departing Lake Champlain of species that could be transported to inland lakes in New York and Vermont. Boat launch stewards at the access area use the high pressure treatment when species are observed on the outside of a vessel. The boat wash unit can also be used to quickly clean high risk vessels coming to Lake Champlain from waters known to be infested.  

2016 marks the tenth year of the Lake Champlain boat launch steward program. This summer, stewards are stationed at VTFWD and NYSDEC launch sites around Lake Champlain offering courtesy boat inspections to remove aquatic invasive species from boats, trailers, and other recreational equipment used in the water.  Lake Champlain is home to 50 known nonnative and invasive species, and is connected to waterways such as the Hudson River that are home to many more. This summer, stewards have been finding spiny water fleas (the newest invasive species to reach Lake Champlain in 2014) on downriggers and fishing line of boats coming out of Lake Champlain.

Boat launch stewards collect data to determine if boaters are changing their behavior to prevent spread of AIS.  The survey they conduct includes two critical questions: if launching, what was the last body of water visited with the watercraft in the previous two weeks; and if the boat owner takes any measures to prevent the spread of AIS.

The best way to prevent the spread of AIS is to Clean, Drain and Dry your boat, trailer, and other equipment by removing any plants or mud and draining all compartments that have had water including live wells, motors, and bilge. The early life stages of some AIS species are not visible to the naked eye, so draining all water from compartments is essential to eliminate any refuge areas where they might hide and hitchhike to another lake.

Learn more about the boat launch stewards >>
Watch the boat wash unit in action >>

CVNHP Initiates Champlain Valley Passport Stamp Program

The CVNHP passport stamp program draws visitors from across the country to the Gordon Center House, home of the LCBP, in Grand Isle, VT.

Beginning this summer, a treasure hunt awaits visitors to eleven museums, natural areas, and cultural attractions in the region. The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) has created a passport stamp program that directs people to sites that exemplify the area’s rich, varied, and unique natural and cultural heritage. Those who visit all participating locations will receive a limited-edition “Find Your Park” challenge coin.

As part of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) system, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) participates in the NPS Passport Stamp Program, where visitors log their experiences at parks, landmarks, and heritage areas across the country. The CVNHP produced the commemorative Stamp Cancellation Passport to mark the 100th anniversary of the NPS. These sites represent the arts, outdoor recreation, land conservation, military history, commerce, natural history, wildlife conservation, and other aspects of the CVNHP.

“This program is an exciting opportunity for NPS passport stamp collectors and coin collectors alike,” said Jim Brangan, assistant director of the CVNHP, “We are so pleased to have so many quality partners showcasing the unique natural and cultural resources of the CVNHP.”

The coins are distributed at the CVNHP office in the Gordon-Center House—a passport stamp location—at 54 West Shore Road in Grand Isle, VT during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Other stamp locations include: American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester Center, VT; ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, VT; Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests Supervisor’s Office, Rutland, VT; Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT; Lake Champlain Visitors Center, Crown Point, NY; Lake George Historical Association and Museum, Lake George, NY; Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Swanton, VT; Pember Museum of Natural History, Granville, NY; Rockwell Kent Gallery of Plattsburgh State Art Museum, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY; and Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, NY.

For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program at (802) 372-3213.

Download the Passport Stamp Card >>
View the Passport Stamp location hours >>

Education and Outreach Highlights

Long-boat rowing is a teacher favorite in every WEC program.

Watershed for Every Classroom

Fourteen dynamic educators participated in the first five days of Watershed for Every Classroom, a five-credit graduate course sponsored by the Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI). Teachers explored Shelburne Farms, hiked along the LaPlatte River and Mt. Philo, rowed longboats at the Maritime Museum, sampled water quality along the Ausable River, learned about the history of the Adirondack Park, and completed investigations at Chimney Point and Crown Point. STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) was woven throughout the summer session as many experts joined to groups to explore specific sites. Both natural and human history were included as part of the cross-discipline approach to teaching about watersheds. Participating teachers represented schools from Burlington, Monkton, South Burlington, Massachusetts, and Hawaii!

CBEI partners work cooperatively to implement the course, now in its sixth iteration. This summer, partners included the LCBP, Shelburne Farms, Lake Champlain Committee, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and Amy Demarest of Our Curriculum Matters. Additional teaching partners join the program throughout the year.

Valcour Island Heritage Trail Guide
Visitors to Valcour Island now can follow a heritage trail that interprets the archeologic remains of a vibrant Lake Champlain camp culture that spanned most of the twentieth century. Long home to the Bluff Point Lighthouse and several farms, Valcour became a summer destination for people trying to escape the heat in the days before air conditioning in the early 1900s. The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership teamed up with the Clinton County Historical Association to develop a walking guide of the island. The 7.5-mile loop takes about 4.5 hours to complete, but does not need to be done all in one trip. The guides are available at the Clinton County Historical Association Museum in Plattsburgh. Pro Tip: follow the trail on a summer Sunday between 1-3 p.m. when interpreters at the lighthouse can answer questions!

Learning on the LaPlatte
The LCBP has begun a new series of videos that highlight the ways that people are learning about and get involved in caring for the Lake Champlain Basin. Many partners throughout the Basin, including local watershed organizations, academic institutions, and agencies, work every day to engage citizens in the classroom and in the community. In the first video in the series, a group of Shelburne Community School students “do science” on the LaPlatte River with the UVM Watershed Alliance. Look for more videos in the coming months.

Watch the video >>
Learn more about the UVM Watershed Alliance >>

Grant Results

Local students learn about the work done at the Champlain Valley Native Plant Restoration Nursery. Credit: PMNRCD

Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than $6.8 million through nearly 1,000 grants to local organizations. These grants support a variety of pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and other projects that address the goals and priorities of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee as outlined in the Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action. A sample of recently completed projects include:

Champlain Valley Native Plant Restoration Nursery Outreach and Education
The  Champlain Valley Native Plant Restoration Nursery— a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District (PMNRCD), and Green Mountain College— used an Education and Outreach grant to inform the public about the benefits of planting native plant species in response to increased concern about the spread of non-native invasive species. PMNRCD staff visited six towns to promote the use of native plants. A diverse group of 55 volunteers contributed more than 300 hours at the nursery, planting acorns and other native seeds. More than 75 students visited the nursery to learn about native trees and shrubs, and interns and community members were involved in stream buffer and lakeshore plantings. PMNRCD worked with the U.S. Forest Service, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Americorps, and the Middletown Springs Conservation Commission to remove invasive species and plant native trees in several locations, including the Poultney Educational Trail, the Middletown Springs Educational Woods, and an eroding stream bank in Fair Haven. Four Green Mountain College students also participated in service-learning projects with the Nursery.

Cover Crop Implementation Through the purchase of a Dew Drop Drill
The Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District recently purchased a Dew Drop Drill to plant cover crops on farms that lack the machinery to use a full-size no-till drill or on smaller fields where access with a full-size no-till drill will be less effective. The Dew Drop Drill is easier to maneuver on small fields, tight spaces and on rough terrain. The drill will be used in areas where cover crop, contour strips, or other plantings are needed to reduce phosphorus runoff. The District also purchased cover crop seed and will conduct soil tests for parcels where it will be used, and will host a farmer workshop and demo day.

The Portage Green Stormwater Bumpout Program
The Town of Ticonderoga constructed a vegetated stormwater bioretention/infiltration street bumpout to intercept a portion of the stormwater runoff on The Portage, a town road that runs along the northwestern base of Mount Defiance, toward the LaChute River. Much of the runoff runs overland or through residential drainage, and is collected in storm basins and directed into the town’s combined storm and sanitary collection system, leading to combined sewer overflows. The bumpout infiltrates and treats stormwater to reduce nonpoint source phosphorus pollution. The bumpouts also improve aesthetic quality of the roadway, reduce runoff by replacing asphalt with a pervious surface, and provide a traffic calming effect by visually narrowing the street.

A new round of local implementation grants will be announced this fall. For more information, please visit the LCBP Grants and RFPs web page. >>

Research Results

A one-meter (3.3 feet) decrease in water clarity on Lake Champlain could lead to a loss of $12.8 million in tourism expenditures.

Each year, the LCBP funds several research projects that help to improve the understanding and management of the watershed. These projects include scientific research, best management demonstration projects, education and outreach efforts, and other initiatives that are key to implementing Opportunities for Action and improving the Lake Champlain ecosystem.

An Assessment of the Economic Value of Clean Water in Lake Champlain
The Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont recently completed a study that assesses the economic impacts of clean water. The researchers examined property values, tourism expenditures, and regional economic data to evaluate the true dollar impact of clean water in the region, using water clarity as a proxy for water quality. They also found that increased phosphorus loading associated with climate change may have a net negative impact on the economy with home values dropping 3-37% (for year-round and seasonal homes, respectively). Conversely, a positive effect could be seen if the new TMDL standards are met, raising home values over $15,000 along lakeshore areas. The researchers predicted a possible $16.8 million decrease in regional economic activity during the summer months with one-meter decrease in water quality.

Read the full report >>
View the Infographic >>

Upcoming Events

Water Works Fair
July 31, Burlington, VT
The Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center and lake partners will host a Water Works Fair to celebrate and learn about Lake Champlain. The Water Works Fair will offer opportunities to explore the ecology and experiences of the Lake with hands-on educational activities and fun for all ages. Experiential education provides a critical link to our lake and fosters its stewardship by future generations.

The fair will be held in Burlington’s Waterfront Park, adjacent to ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. There will opportunities for participants to catch plankton, identify fish, explore lakee creatures using microscopes and much more. Community partners from across the state will be there to guide you in your adventures and explorations.

Learn more >>

Vermont Phosphorus TMDL Implementation Plan Meetings
August 29-30, Burlington, St. Albans, Rutland
Lake Champlain Basin Program staff will facilitate public meetings during which the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will present the Vermont Phosphorus TMDL Phase I Implementation Plan and answer questions from the audience. Meetings are scheduled at the following locations and times:
Doubletree Inn, Burlington: 1:00 PM.
Bliss Room, St. Albans Historical Society, St. Albans: 6:00 PM
Asa Bloomer State Office Building, Rutland: 6:00 PM

Estuary Research Workshop
September 27, Staatsburg, NY
Regional NEIWPCC program staff will provide overviews of current research and monitoring initiatives, with a focus on nutrients, harmful algal blooms, climate change, and resilience.
Learn more and register >>