The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is a federal, state and local initiative to restore and protect Lake Champlain and its surrounding watershed for future generations. The states of New York and Vermont, the Province of Quebec, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other federal and local government agencies, and many local groups, both public and private, are partners of the LCBP.

Created by the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-596), the LCBP’s goal is to work cooperatively to protect and enhance the environmental integrity and the social and economic benefits of the Lake Champlain Basin. The Special Designation Act was introduced by Vermont Senators Leahy and Jeffords and former New York Senators D'Amato and Moynihan.

The Lake Champlain Steering Committee leads the LCBP. Its members include representatives of government agencies and the chairs of advisory groups representing citizens, scientists and educators. The Steering Committee’s actions are guided by Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin.

The LCBP works with its partners to support and enhance many initiatives throughout the Lake Champlain Basin. Activities include:

• Cooperating with local, state and federal partners in New York, Vermont and Quebec on Lake Champlain's management.
• Making funding available for Lake Champlain Basin research by Lake scientists and universities.
• Partnering with other organizations through the Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI) to host workshops for educators who want to teach about the Lake and its Basin.
• Providing outreach programs and informational materials about Lake issues to local schools and communities.
• Awarding more than $2.5 million to about 500 local projects throughout the Basin since 1992.
• Supporting the activities of more than 25 watershed groups within the Basin.
• Implementing the actions in the Opportunities for Action plan.
• Partnering on Champlain 2000, a news series on WPTZ News Channel 5 about the Lake Champlain Basin.
• Working with LakeNet and lakes throughout the world.
• Operating the LCBP Resource Room within ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.

To learn more about the LCBP, visit our website at www.lcbp.org.

Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Lake Champlain Basin (the Plan) is a pollution prevention, control, and restoration plan. The Plan was first endorsed in October of 1996 by the governors of New York and Vermont and the regional administrators of the USEPA. Its main goals include:

• Improving water quality throughout the Lake Champlain Basin.
• Protecting the Basin’s living natural resources.
• Preserving and enhancing the region’s rich cultural and recreation resources.

The 1996 Plan called for periodic updates and a new version of the plan was signed in April 2003 by the governors of New York and Vermont and the regional administrators of the USEPA. The updated Plan was based on information gained from several public input meetings and comments received from researchers, not-for-profits, local state, and federal agencies, and other groups interested in Lake Champlain's management. The April 2003 version of Opportunities for Action is now in effect. Both the 1996 and April 2003 versions of Opportunities for Action are available online.

• Lake Champlain Basin Program Website
• Opportunities for Action Plan (See Chapter 1)